Status of Fish Biodiversity and Livelihood of Fisher's Community in Dekhar haor of Bangladesh

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1 American-Eurasian J. Agric. & Environ. Sci., 16 (8): , 2016 ISSN IDOSI Publications, 2016 DOI: /idosi.aejaes Status of Fish Biodiversity and Livelihood of Fisher's Community in Dekhar haor of Bangladesh B.D. Trina, M.G. Rasul, M.M. Hasan, J. Ferdous, H.J. Ferdausi and N.C. Roy 1 Department of Fish Biology and Genetics, Sylhet Agricultural University, Sylhet, Bangladeh 2 Department of Fisheries Technology, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University, Gazipur, Bangladesh 3 Department of Fisheries Technology and Quality Control, Sylhet Agricultural University, Sylhet, Bangladesh 4 Quality Assurance Officer, BEST Project, Department of Fisheries, Dhaka, Bangladesh. Abstract: The study was conducted to assess the present situation of fish biodiversity and livelihood status of fisher s community in Dekhar haor under Sunamganj district, for a period of nine months. The study was based on personal interview of fishers, focus group discussions (FGDs) with river bank fisher s community and cross-check interviews with key informants (KI). Results of the study revealed that total 74 species were found where 8 were critically endangered (CR), 17 were endangered (EN), 9 were vulnerable (VU) and 39 were not threatened (NO). Catch composition of fish in the haor was catfishes (24%), perches (18%), carps (16%), barbs and minnows (15%), snakeheads (8%), eels and mud eels (5%), featherbacks (4%), miscellaneous species (4%), loaches (3%) and clupeids (3%).The socio economic condition of the fisher s in Dekhar haor region was very poor. The main occupation of fishers was fishing (70%) greatly influences their livelihood. From the study, it was found that age groups were the major manpower of the community. In the villages, around 80% people were Muslims and only 20% were Hindus. Regarding educational level, 57% can sign, 26% were primary level passed, 10% were secondary level passed and 7% were totally illiterate. Majority of people had no land of their own. Most of the people, about 79% were using semi-pacca latrin and 5% people were using open field or no latrin. In haor, maximum people go to nearby kobiraj (38.50%), village doctor (20%), homeopathi doctor (11.50%) for their treatment. This study revealed that 70% people s earned 40, , 000 Tk/year, 20% earned 61, , 000 Tk/year and 10% earned 100, 000- above Tk/year. Muslim fishers were most dominant which was followed by Hindu fishers. A very few private organization is now trying to help them but no considerable facilities from Governmental organizations. Key words: Fish Biodiversity Catch composition Livelihood status Dekhar haor INTRODUCTION the North-Eastern part of Bangladesh [6]. In greater Sylhet, the most prominent haors are Saneer haor, Hail Fish is considered as one of the most important haor, Hakaluki haor, Dekhar haor, Maker haor, Chayer food items throughout the world including Bangladesh haor, Tanguar haor and Kawadighi haor [7]. Dekhar haor and major protein providing source [1, 2]. Bangladesh is is one of the most important haors in Bangladesh lies enriched with its aquatic biodiversity containing 260 between latitude N to N and longitude species of indigenous freshwater finfish belonging to E to E. of total hectares. It is made up 55 families. It is important to know the present status of of 36 small, medium and large interconnecting beels, fish biodiversity for efficient and rational management of canals, rivers and crop lands. In monsoon, the haor is this valuable resource. Haors are defined as saucer or looked like an inland sea with full of water but in dry bowl shaped shallow depressions covering about 25% of season it becomes almost dry except some deeper beels. Corresponding Author: M.G. Rasul, Department of Fisheries Technology, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman Agricultural University, Gazipur , Bangladesh. Tel:

2 It is the home of many species of freshwater fishes and do not have free access to the water body for catching thousands of indigenous birds. There is a great fish [12]. At present, research work is very necessary to importance of this haor for fish production, maintaining understand the core problems of the haor. So, the biodiversity, meeting local and regional demand. Now the objectives are to assess the present status of fish haor is gradually silted up due to flash floods and other biodiversity and livelihood status in the Dekhar haor. man made causes. Overfishing is a common practice in this area [8]. One of the most vulnerable communities in MATERIALS AND METHODS Bangladesh is a fisherman who lives hand to mouth. Most of them are poor and their income is deteriorating daily Appropriate methodology is a prime necessity that [12]. Livelihoods of fishermen largely depends hoar enables the researchers to collect valid and reliable fishery resources. Furthermore, fish biodiversity is also information and to analyze the information properly in very dependent livelihood of fishermen. Thus, fishing order to achieve a good conclusion. As a part of the community is an important group to enrich fish research, a survey for a period of nine months from April biodiversity and economy of Bangladesh. But most to December 2014 was conducted on fish species fishermen are poor and lack many comforts of life. All the biodiversity and livelihood status of fisher s community time they have to struggle to survive because they have in Dekhar haor adjacent to Sunamgonj Sadar Upazila and Fig. 1: The study area of the Sunamganj Sadar and Dakhin Sunamganj Upazila 1418

3 Dakhin Sunamganj Upazila (Figure 1). In this study, a total study area. Catfishes exhibits a highest percentages 24%. of 100 fishermen were randomly selected from the villages Perches, Carps, Barbs and Minnows exhibits very close around the hoar. During collection of data, both primary relationship and show a percentage 18%, 16% and 15%, and secondary sources were considered to interpret the respectively. Snakeheads represents 8% when Clupeids results. Primary data were collected from target groups by and Loaches 3% each. Eels and Mud eels contributes questionnaire interviews, Participatory Rapid Appraisal 5% where Featherbacks and Miscellaneous are 4% each. (PRA) tool such as Focus Group Discussion (FGD) and It was been recorded 47 fish species in Borolia haor. cross-check interviews with key informants. The Among them he recorded 7 Carp species, 12 Catfishes, 4 secondary information were collected from Sunamgonj Snakeheads, 5 Perches, 3 Eels, 8 Minnows, 2 Clupeids and Sadar and Dakhin Sunamganj Upazila fisheries office, 7 miscellaneous species which is partially support to the district fisheries office of Sunamganj, projects of World present study [10]. Fish in Sunamganj, books, journals and theses. Sample size were taken about 50% of individual interview, 40% of Livelihood Status of Fishers in Dekhar Haor the cross-check interviews with the key informants of the study area and 10% of data collected from upazila fisheries office of Sunamganj Sadar and Dakhin Sunamganj, district fisheries office of Sunamganj, projects of World Fish in Sunamganj, books, journals and theses. Finally data were analyzed by using Microsoft office excels 2007 and SPSS statistical software (20 version). RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS Fish Biodiversity: The fishes of Dekhar haor exhibit a wonderful diversity in their size, shape, color, habitat, feeding and breeding habits. A total 74 species was recorded in Dekhar haor during study period which is presented in the Table 1. Among 54 threatened species 12 were critically endangered (CR), 28 were endangered (EN), 14 were vulnerable (VU) according to IUCN Red List [5]. In Dekhar haor among 74 species 8 were critically endangered (CR), 17 were endangered (EN), 9 were vulnerable (VU) and 40 were not threatened (NO). Moreover all fishes were also categorized into 4 major parts according to their availability with considering fisher perception. These are Abundantly available (AA), Frequently available (FA), Rarely available (RA), Very rare (VR) which are presented in the Table 1 & Figure 2. The fishes were also divided into 10 common groups. These were described as following ways. Different Common Groups of Fish Species: Percentage contributions of different group of fishes were recorded during the study period in Dekhar haor are presented in the Figure 2. Among 74 species, 10 common groups viz. Carps, Barbs and Minnows, Loaches, Clupeids, Snakeheads, Perches, Catfishes, Eel and Mud Eels, Featherbacks and Miscellaneous were recorded in the Age Structure: From the questionnaire interview, the study found that aged people of the study area were higher 55% than years that were 28%. Most of the people of that area were young aged and 28% people were middle aged and 17% people were older or 51- above aged people (Table 2). Debnath [10] reported that the age group of the Borulia haor was years the highest (51.67) and more than 50 years was lowest (23.33%). Kabir et al. [9] also indentified the three categories of age groups: such as young (20-30 years), middle aged (31-40 years) and old (41-60 years) in fishing community of the old Brahmaputra River area. Religion: From the present survey, most of the fishermen were muslim. In the villages, around 80% people were Muslims and only 20 % were Hindus and no other religion was available (Table 2). In the adjacent villages of Dekhar haor there were found 3-4 mosques and 1 temple. According to Faroque [11], most of the people of Borobela beel were muslims that supports the present study. The percentages of Muslims, Hindus and others in his study area were 80%, 12.5% and 7.5%, respectively. Educational Status of Fishermen: It was found that most of the fisherman of Dekhar haor was illiterate. From the present study, 57% people belong to can sign. There were 7% people who were totally illiterate. Primary level is now free access for the local people. About 26% people were primary level passed where only 10% people were secondary level passed (Table 2). It was reported that 66.67% of the haor fishermen were illiterate, 30% of them had primary and 3.33% of them had secondary level of education of Kolimar haor fishermen [12]. 1419

4 Table 1: List of fish species as recorded during the study period in the Dekhar haor Sl no. Common Group Order Family Scientific Name Local Name Fish Type IUCN Status** Present Status*** 1 Carps Cypriniformes Cyprinidae Labeo rohita Rui Large NO AA 2 Catla catla Catla Large NO AA 3 Cirrhinus cirrhosous Mrigel Large NO AA 4 Cirrhinus reba Lachu Medium EN FA 5 Labeo calbasu Kalibaus Large EN AA 6 Labeo bata Bata Large EN FA 7 Labeo gonius Gonia Medium EN AA 8 Labeo nandina Nandina Medium CR RA 9 Cyprinus carpio Carpio Large NO AA 10 Hypophthalmicthys molitrix Silver carp Large NO FA 11 Ctenopharyngodon idella Grass carp Large NO FA 12 Tor putitora Mohashol Large CR VR 13 Barbs & Minnows Cypriniformes Cyprinidae Puntius ticto Tit puti Small VU RA 14 Puntius sarana Shorputi Medium CR RA 15 Puntius sophore Jatputi Small NO AA 16 Amblypharyngodon mola Mola Small NO AA 17 Osteobrama cotio Dhela Small EN AA 18 Esomus danricus Darkina Small NO AA 19 Puntius terio Teri puti Small NO AA 20 Securicula gora Ghora chela Small NO RA 21 Cyprinodontidae Chela cachius Chep chela Small NO AA 22 Puntius chola Chala puti Small NO RA 23 Aplocheilu spanchax Pach chouka Small NO VR 24 Loaches Cipriniformes Cobitidae Lepidocephalichthys guntea Gutum Small NO FA 25 Botia Dario Rani Small EN RA 26 Clupeids Clupeiformes Clupeidae Gudusia chapra Chapila Small NO FA 27 Corica soborna Kachki Very Small NO AA 28 Snakeheads Perciformes Channidae Channa marulius Gozar Large EN RA 29 Channa striatas Shol Large NO AA 30 Channa punctatus Taki Medium NO AA 31 Channa barca Pipla Shol Large CR VR 32 Channa orientalis Cheng Medium VU RA 33 Nandidae Nandus nandus Veda, Meni Small VU FA 34 Perches Perciformes Anabantidae Anabas testudineus Koi Medium NO FA 35 Osphronemidae Colisa fasciata Baro kholisha Small NO FA 36 Colisa lalia Lal kholisha Small NO VR 37 Colisa chuno Choto kholisha Small NO AA 38 Badidae Badis badis Napit koi Very small EN VR 39 Gobiidae Glossogobius giuris Bele Medium NO AA 40 Ambassidae Parambassis lala Lalchanda Very Small NO FA 41 Pseudambassis baculis Chanda Very Small NO AA 42 Chanda nama Lamba chanda Small VU RA 43 Cichlidae Oreochromis niloticus Nilotica Large NO FA 44 Oreochromis mossambicus Tilapia Large NO AA 45 Beloniformes Belonidae Xenentodon cancila Kankila Medium NO AA 46 Hemirhamphidae Hyporhamphus limbatus EkThuita Small EN RA 47 Catfishes Siluriformes Siluridae Wallago attu Boal Large NO AA 48 Ompok pabda Pabda Medium EN FA 49 Ompok pabo Modhupabda Small EN FA 50 Ompok bimaculatus Kanipabda Small EN RA 51 Heteropneustidae Heteropneustes fossilis Shing Medium NO AA 52 Clariidae Clarias batrachus Magur Medium NO AA 53 Schilbeidae Neotropius atherinoides Batashi Small NO AA 54 Eutropiichthys vacha Bacha Medium CR VR 55 Ailia coila Kajuli Small NO FA 56 Clupisoma garua Garua Medium CR VR 57 Bagridae Bagridae Rita rita Rita Large CR VR 58 Pangasius pungasius Pangus Large EN RA 59 Sperata seenghala Guizza Air Large EN RA 60 Sperata aor Air Large VU RA 61 Mystus tengara Gulsha tengra Small NO FA 62 Mystus cavasius Kabashi tengra Medium VU FA 63 Mystus vittatus Tengra Medium NO AA 64 Sisoridae Bagarius bagarius Baga air Large CR VR 65 Eels & Mud eels Synbranchiformes Mastacembelidae Macrognathus aculeatus Tara baim Medium VU RA 66 Mastacembelus pancalus Guchi baim Medium NO RA 67 Mastacembelus armatus Baim Large EN FA 68 Synbranchidae Monopterus cuchia Kuchia Large VU VR 69 Featherbacks Osteoglossiformes Notopteridae Notopterus notopterus Foli Medium VU FA 70 Chitala chitala Chitol Large EN RA 71 Tetraodontiformes Tetraodontidae Chelonodon potoca Potka Medium EN RA 72 Miscellaneous Decapoda Palaemonidae Macrobrachium rosenbergii Galda Medium NO FA 73 Macrobrachium rude Gura chinghri Small NO AA 74 Macrobrachium malcomsonii Icha Very small NO FA **IUCN Status: CR: Critically endangered, EN: Endangered, VU: Vulnerable, NO: Not threatened *** Present Status (Considering Fisher Perception): AA=Abundantly available, FA=Frequently available, RA=Rarely available, VR=Very rare 1420

5 Fig. 2: Percentage and number of different groups of fish Table 2: Demographic Status of the fishing community of Dekher Haor Sl. No. Livelihood properties Percentage 1. Age structure Young aged (10 to 30 years) 55% Middle aged (31 to 50 years) 28% Old aged (51 to above years) 17% Male (fish catching and selling) 90% Female ( gear making) 10% 2. Religion Muslims 80% Hindu 20% 3. Educational status Can sign 57% Illiterate 7% Primary level 26% Secondary level 10% 4. Occupation Fishing 70% Agriculture 20% Day labour 5% Unemployed 4% Business 1% 5. Marrital status Married 88% Unmarried 12% 6. Sanitation and medical facilities Semi- pacca latrin 75% Pucca latrin 15% No latrin 10% From sadar hospital 20% Kobiraj 38.50% Homeopathic medicine 11.50% Village doctor 20% Private doctor 10% 7. Annual Expenditure Food 80% Clothing 5% Education 1.67% Health care 11.67% Entertained 1.67% 8. Annual income High income (above Tk) 10% Medium income ( Tk) 20% Lower income ( Tk) 70% Occupation: From the present study, there were 70% people who were involved in only fishing, 20% people were involved in agricultural land, 5% were involved as day labourer, 1% was in engaged business purpose and 4% were unemployed. About 72% people were involved in fishing, while almost 18% are day labourers and 8% were dependent in agricultural land in seven villages of Tanguar hoar reported by by Chowdhury [13]. Marital Status: In the present study, it was found that about 88% fishermen were married majority and 12% fishermen were unmarried who were under 15 years old (Table 2). According to Paul et al. [14] in two different villages namely Birulia under Savar upazilla of Dhaka district and Boroibari under Kaliakoir upazilla of Gazipur district alone the Turag River, identified the marital status 96% and 98%, respectively. Involvement of Fisheries Activities: About 90% male were involved in fish catching and selling. On other hand, a few women were active to making gear and selling them. Only 10% people of the study area were involved in gear making and those were female. Land Area: Land area was classified into 4 groups i.e. small sized land (1-40 decimal), medium sized land (41-80 decimal), large sized land (above to 81decimal) and no land. It was found that 88% people had no land area of their own. Small sized land owners were about 6% whereas both the middle and large sized land owners were about 3% (Table 3). A study on Tista River by Khan et al. [15], about 24% of the fishermen had a small house and agricultural land, 70% (highest percentage) had no agricultural land, but only ancestral home and 6% had no agricultural land. 1421

6 Table 3: Cultivable land Area of Dekhar haor Group Area Land owners (%) Small sized land 1-40 decimal 6 % Middle sized land decimal 3% Large sized land 81decimal- above 3% No land 88% Total 100% Organizational Linkage: Sunamganj sadar upazila and Dakhin sunamganj upazila have a number of NGOs. The workers of these NGOs have already started some new project as ekti bari ekti khamar where they are giving one cow with 10 ducks and one goat with five ducks among the poor people. It is such a wonderful job that should be praised. An NGO named HIRA gave some ring to set up toilet in a village named Sadarpur. There were some other organizations that has started their developing work in sunamgonj area i.e. FIVDB, SUMOTI, CVRMP. Regarding to a survey study of Paul et al. [14] particularly in Turag River found that all of the fishermen received loan from NGO s (ASA, GRAMEEN, A DESH) for purchase fishing gears and boats. During banning period they took loan basically. Unfortunately, all of their profit during peak season were repaid for loan to this NGO. All of the respondent fishermen were the beneficiaries of IPAC/MACH/RUG/RMG/NSP. They got training from such organization. Drinking Water Facility: Most of the people of the haor basin have to access nearby haor or tube-well for drinking water. They have no tap water facility from government or any organization. Sanitation Facilities: There were two types of sanitation facilities available in haor basin. Service latrin Semi-pucca latrin From the present study, most of the facility has got from NGO s. They gave some ring and people were using this ring as their sanitary latrin. Most of the people (75%) were using semi-pucca latrin. But there were 15% people who were using pucca latrine and 5% people were using open field or no latrin (Table 2). Faroque [11] reported that the fishermen s housing condition, health and sanitary condition of Borobela beel were very poor. Most of the fishermen s house (82.5%) and toilets (67.5%) were mud made that is somewhat different from the present study. Medical Facilities: The people of Dekhar haor were living below poverty line. Though there were 2 upazila hospitals but they have to spend money on buying the medicine. The result of survey is that 20% people get medical facilities from upazila sadar hospital, 38.50% people go to nearby kobiraj, 11.50% go for homeopath medicine, 20% people go to village doctor and rest of 10% people go to private doctor for their treatment (Table 2). According to Kabir et al. [9], the highest 80% of the fishermen were dependent on village doctor while only 15% got health service from Upazila hospital and 5% got health service from Kobiraj in Old Brahmaputra River. Annual Expenditure: The highest expenditure of the income of the people of haor area was food. They spent 80% of their income on the food item and 11.67% on health care. A very little money has been spent on clothing (5%), entertainment (1.67%) and education (1.67%) (Table 2). A matter of sorrow is that they do not want to spend money on study purpose. They send their children into school at nearby government primary school. But after primary level, a very few children may go to secondary school. Annual Income: The people of the Dekhar haor region were classified into three categories. The highest annual income was above 100, 000 Tk/year. Medium income has been categorized as 61, , 000 Tk/year and lower income between 40, , 000 Tk/year. There were 10% people who were highest annual income earner (above 100, 000 Tk/year), 20% were medium income earner (61, , 000 Tk/year) and 70% were lower income earner (40, , 000 Tk/year) (Table 2). There were 3 different categories of Hakaluki haor fishermen based on annual income; very poor (61%): Less than Tk. 40, , 000, Poor (24%): Tk. 80, , 220 and Non-poor (16%): Tk.156, 000-2, reported by Khanum [16]. Socio-Economic Constraints of Fishermen: In the market most of the fishermen are facing various problems during fishing and marketing their goods. The main problem was recognized as extortion by the local extortionist, other problems were inadequate credit facility, presence of aquatic vegetation, lack of marketing facilities, lack of knowledge of fishing, lack of appropriate gears and disturbances by dacoits and thieves and sometimes by the local people themselves. Most of the fishermen were very poor and they have limited resort to buy nets and other fishing equipment. They are neglected in all respect in the society. Most of them are illiterate and live from 1422

7 hand to mouth. Being very poor their children often go for 8. CNRS (Center for Natural Resource Studies), fishing rather than going school. This was more or less Management of Aquatic Ecosystems through similar result to be findings by Sultana et al. [17]. Community Husbandry. Feasibility Report on MACH (Management of Aquatic Ecosystems through CONCLUSION Community Husbandry) Outreach Program, pp: Kabir, K.M.R., R.K. Adhikary, M.B. Hossain and The fish biodiversity is decreasing day by day due to M.H. Minar, Livelihood Status of Fishermen of various natural and manmade causes thus fishermen the Old Brahmaputra River, Bangladesh. World livelihood are being hampered. Livelihood condition of Applied Sciences Journal, 16(6): the fishing communities in Dekhar haor was not 10. Debnath, P.C., A Study on the Fish Biodiversity satisfactory. The fishermen were deprived of many of Borulia haor, Nikli, Kishoreganj and the Socio amenities. The fishermen of adjacent in Dekhar haor area economic condition of the Adjacent Fishers. M.S. are mostly poor, illiterate, law income earner and they are Thesis, Department of Aquaculture, Bangladesh deprived real housing, sanitation and health facilities. Agricultural University, Mymensingh, pp: 49. The fishermen should be educated and trained to build 11. Faroque, M.G., Fisheries in Borobela beel in awareness in them to improve their socio-economic Mymensingh district and Livelihood of the adjacent condition. Government and NGO s participation are very Fisheries and Fish Farmers. M.S. Thesis, Department much important for improving the fishermen communities of Fisheries Management, Bangladesh Agricultural especially in education, health, credit facilities. University, Mymensingh, pp: Hossain, T., Study on Biodiversity of Fish REFERENCES fauna and Socioeconomic Condition of the Fishermen in the Kolimar haor, Itna, Kishoreganj. M.S. Thesis, 1. Azim, M.A., M.R. Islam, M.B. Hossain and M.H. Department of Fisheries Management, Bangladesh Minar, Seasonal Variations in the Proximate Agricultural University, Mymensingh, pp: 38. Composition of Gangetic Sillago, Sillaginopsis 13. Chowdhury, A.H., The state of Community panijus (Perciformes: Sillaginidae). Middle-East Based Sustainable Management of Tanguar haor. Journal of Scientific Research, 11(5): M.S. Thesis, Department of Development Studies, 2. Hossain, M.B., S.N. Amin, M. Shamsuddin and pp: M.H. Minar, Use of Aqua-chemicals in the 14. Paul, B., H. Faruque and D.A. Ahsan, Hatcheries and Fish Farmers of Greater Noakhali, Livelihood Status of the Fishermen of the Turag Bangladesh. Asian Journal of Animal and Veterinary River, Bangladesh. Middle-East Journal of Scientific Advances, 13(2): Research, 18(5): Ali, M.Y., Towards Sustainable Development of 15. Khan, M.A.R., M.I. Miah, M.B. Hossain, A. Begum, Fisheries Resources of Bangladesh. IUCN and M.H. Minar and M. Rajaulkarim, Fish BRAC, Dhaka. Biodiversity and Livelihood Status of Fishing 4. World Bank, Bangladesh Environmental Community of Tista River, Bangladesh. Global Strategy Review. World Bank, Washington DC. USA. Veterinaria, 10(4): IUCN Bangladesh, Red Book of Threatened 16. Khanum, R Socio-Economic Conditions of Fishes of Bangladesh. IUCN-The World Fishermen: Evidence from Hakaluki haor of Conservation Union, International Union for Bangladesh. Asian Business Review, 2(4): Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Bangladesh. 17. Sultana, P., S.S. Alam, S.A. Ahmed and P. Thompson, 6. BHWDB (Bangladesh haor and Wetland Understanding Livelihoods Dependent on Development Board), Ministry of Water Inland Fisheries in Bangladesh and Southeast Asia. Resources, Government of the People s Republic of Department for International Development. Bangladesh, Dhaka. Bangladesh PRA Report, pp: Hossain, M.A.R., An Overview of Fisheries Sector of Bangladesh. Research in Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries, 1(1):