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International Journal of Research in Management, Science & Technology (E-ISSN: 2321-3264)

Vol. 3, No. 4, December 2015 Available at www.ijrmst.org

2321-3264/Copyright©2015, IJRMST, December 2015 141

Socio-economic Impact of a Decaying River

on Fishermen: A Case Study of Taranipur

Village, West Bengal Balai Chandra Das

Krishnagar Govt. College, Krishnagar, Nadia-741101

[email protected]

Abstract— So many natural and socio-economic factors

are there, that forces man to change his life style along

with his occupation. Human activities on river banks are

strongly controlled by the river concerned. Taranipur

(J.L. No. 103) is a village on the river Jalangi in P.S.

Tehatta-I of the district of Nadia. There are at least 43

fishermen’s families who would depend for their

livelihood on the river Jalangi. For generations, they

were fishermen. But decaying of the river Jalangi along

with changes in socio-economic pattern of the village,

they have cast off their ancestral occupation. Simple

statistical analysis of data collected by primary survey

also reveals that changing occupational pattern of the

fishermen due to decaying of the river Jalangi.

I. INTRODUCTION

Any change of a part of a system stirs another part.

River Jalangi and inhabitants on its banks are two

parts of a single system of coexistence. River Jalangi

has gone through a long history of change of its

course and passed phases of instigation, vigor and

feeble (Mukherjee,1932; Majumder, 1978; Hirst,

1916). Up to 19th century the river was one of the

major route of water transport of the then British

Bengal (Reak, 1919; Moor, 1919; Mukherjee, 1938,

Hunter, 1877) and it had direct off-take from the river

Padma (Figure 2). But due to immature reclamation

and embankment along banks of this deltaic river, the

bed of the channel has been silted up at a faster rate

(Majumder, 1941). Moreover, eastward shifting of

the feeder river Padma, has rejected distributaries like

Bhagirathi, Mathabhanga and Jalangi (Basu, 1972).

The acute angle at off-take between Padma and its

distributary Jalangi were subsequently changed into

obtuse one and the off-take point got closed finally

(Basu and Chakravorty, 1972). Hydraulics of the

transformation the off-take of the river Jalangi at

Madhubona into an obtuse angular one can be

explained by Law On Collision Of Bodies In Fluid

(Mukherjee, 1966). The water level of the river

Padma below Farakka barrage has gone down

remarkably after execution of the barrage in 1975. As

a result, the average surface level of the river Padma

is well below the bed level of the river Jalangi at its

off-take at Akhriganaj and Padma cannot feed the

river Jalangi except two or three months during rains

(Basu, 1972; Rudra, 1998, 2001, 2010).

With very low flow, distributaries of Padma cannot

scour their bed (Majumder, 1941) and became

decayed. Fluctuations in water level of the river

Bhagirathi and lower reach of the river Jalangi due to

implementation of Ganges water distribution treaty

with Bangladesh has increased the frequency of

erosion (Islam, 2010-11). Bank erosion is also

accelerating the process of decaying (Das, 2013). In

2006, the state government sanctioned Rs. 70 millions

for anti- erosionon work in the Jalangi River

(Pramanick, 2005). During present century, 3 bridges

on the river are designed ignoring the river health and

during construction processes thousands of cubic

meters of soils have been put into the river bed which

in turn decayed the river (Das, 2013a).`

This decaying of the river channel has definite

effects on the inhabitants on banks (Biswas, 2001).

Due to decay of the river, fishermen are the most

affected amongst inhabitants on banks. Catch has

sharply been fallen. There are 30007 fishermen in the

district (Fisheries Department, Nadia, 2013) and

fishing is their primary source of income. But sharp

decrease in fish catch has pushed them towards a fate

of uncertainty (Hemingway, 1952). They became

forced to sell their catch at a lower price to the

‘Mahajan’ who help them by providing money and

fishing materials during bad time. Co-operative

society of fishermen may tackle the situation (Martin,

1994) but often the society acts against its objectives.

The agony of poor fishermen is not a crucial concern

only of Taranipur- a small village of West Bengal, but

also the problem of India or perhaps of the world.

That is why the present paper will focus on the socio-

economic impact of the decaying river Jalangi on the

fishermen of Taranipur, a village on its left bank in

P.S. Tehatta-I of the district of Nadia, India.

II. OBJECTIVES

Main objectives of the present paper are

1. To find out changes in occupational; pattern

of the fishermen of Taranipur

2. To find out impact of decaying of the river

Jalangi on their occupational change

mailto:[email protected]




Materials and method

For this study, the author interviewed 50

respondents of Taranipur, a village on left bank of

Jalangi in P.S. Tehatta-I (Figure 1) of the district of

Nadia. All the materials for this study were collected

from direct field survey and data are of purely

primary in nature. Above mentioned target

respondents were interviewed as per pre-planned

questionnaire and information was collected during

the period 2011 and 2012. Collected data were

arranged, tabulated and analysed by simple statistical

tools and represented diagrammatically with the help

of M. S. Excel 2007.

Fig: 1 R. Jalangi, R. Bhagirathi, R. Mathabhanga and R. Padma and village Taranipur

III. FINDINGS AND DISCUSSION

Main findings of the study are summarized under

following heads.

RIVER JALANGI

The name ‘Jalangi’ has been derived from the

village ‘Jalangi’ in C. D. Block Jalangi of

Murshidabad district, at which, the river would once

take-off its supply from river Padma (Majumder,

1995). The river runs for 220.5 km from its old off-

take to the confluence, out of which 48 km from off-

take at Char Madhubona near Jalangi to Bhairab

confluence at Moktarpur is dead at present and 172.5

km from Bhairab confluence at Moktarpur to

Bhagirathi confluence at Swarupganj is being

River Jalangi

River Bhagirathi

River Jalangi

River Jalangi River Bhairab

R. Padma

Taranipur

Moktarpur

Jalangi

Nabadwip Swarupganj




maintained by the flow from the river Bhairab. Up to

late 19th or early 20th century the river was one of the

three (Bhagirathi, Mathabhanga, and Jalangi – three

Nadia Rivers) main waterways of south Bengal and

was connected with river Padma through its own off-

take (Figure 2). Sometimes the river was more

suitable as a navigation route than that of Bhagirathi

and Mathabhanga (Reaks, 1919). During 1st quarter

of the 20th century, both the river Jalangi and

Mathabhanga were getting their supply through a

common off-take at Bausmari (Figure 3). Decaying of

the river can be summarized as-

Fig: 2 Off-take of R. Jalangi in map by Tassin in 1840, cited from Rudra, 2010

Jalangi off-take has been dried up and detached

from the feeder river Padma only after the 1st quarter

of the 20th century (Mukherjee, 1932).

i) During 1932 the river was getting its

supply through an off-take from

Mathabhanga at Bausmari (Annual

Report on Major Rivers, Nadia River

Division, Bengal Irrigation Department,

Govt. of Bengal, 1932, p-25) which is

now literally impossible to trace out.

ii) Width of the river at Moktarpur has been

reduced from 80.5 m in 1917 to

11.12m in 2009. (Topographical Map

No. 78D/5, 1917 and Field Survey

2009).




Fig: 3 United off-take of R. Jalangi and R. Mathabhanga in 1918, Source :- Biswas (2001), plate-2

iii) Reach of the river from Char

Madhubona to Jayrampur has been

deteriorated to such an extent that it is

literally impossible to trace out. Off-take

from R. Padma was totally buried under

the sand bar during last century (Figure

4). Some tanks (ponds) excavated within

the bed are found as water body,

otherwise all the length of the reach is

cultivated for paddy and Ravi crops.

iv) Width of the reach between Jayghata

(approximately 7 km downstream to

Karimpur) and Moktarpur, has been

reduced from 225m in1917 to only 4m

in 2009 and except rainy season this

reach remains absolutely dry.

v) The Banur bil connector near

Nischintapur in P.S. Tehatta-I has effectively

been closed by village road. But it’s decaying;

especially detachment from Padma along with

other socio-political-economic factors has

changed the occupational pattern of the fishermen

who lives on the river.




Fig: 4 Causes of decrease in fish catch in River jalangi

PER-CAPITA DECLINE IN FISH CATCH

Per-capita catch has gone down sharply at present

in comparison to 30 years back which is manifested in

the comparative picture of fish consumption of the

fishermen (Table 1). As their catch has been fallen,

quantity of prime source of animal protein in their diet

ahs also gone down. During 30 years back, they

would take 212 grams of fish per capita per day. But

at present it is only 30.4 grams per capita per day

which is approximately 14% to that of the bygone

days. Scenario of C. D. Block Tehatta-I is quite better.

It was 224 grams and 35 grams respectively and

present consumption is 15.6% to that of past.

Decrease in fish consumption among fishermen is

common to all the 9 C. D. Blocks on the banks of the

River Jalangi of Nadia District (Table- I). Though it

seems from the table (Table-1) that bygone days are

extolled by the age-old respondents, yet it is very

much clear that the per-capita fish consumption along

with catch has been decreased considerably in

comparison to 30 years back.

This is, may be, due to:

1. Fish catch from the river Jalangi has been declined

many fold, due to decaying of the river.

2. Substitute protein, especially poultry has been

introduced within this period and has been / became

popular.

3. Huge growth of population has lessened the per-

capita share of fish consumption.

Table 1 Decrease in per day per-capita fish consumption by fishermen of Taranipur and 9 C. D. Blocks in the district of Nadia on the banks

of the river Jalangi (grams/day/capita)

Period

Village C. D. Blocks

Taranipur Nabadwip Kngr-

I

Kngr-

II

Chapra Nakasipara Tehatta-

I

Tehatta-

II

Karimpur-

I

Karimpur-

II

Average

30

years

ago

212 200 170 225 195.5

125 224 175 205 210 192.17

At

present

30.4 20.5 15 25.5 30.5 20.25 35 17.75 05 07 19.61

Source: Door to door survey

Decrease in catch has also been reflected in the

contribution of the river Jalangi to the local fish

markets. Nearest market where the fishermen of

Taranipur sell their catch is located at Tehatta. Fish

from river Jalangi in Tehatta market has been

decreased considerably in comparison to 30 years

back (Table 2, Figure 7). During 30 years back,

contribution of the river Jalangi to local fish market

was 59% which was 59 kg. But now, the share of the

river is only 16.3% which is 28.45 kg only (Table 2).

Although the absolute catch has gone down to 48% of

the past, but it is not the real picture. The relative

share has been reduced to only 27.5% in comparison

to the past. Moreover, during 30 years back, as almost

every family on river bank would catch their need

from the river, so market volume of Jalangi fish does

not reflect the real catch.




Table 2 Decrease in contribution of the river Jalangi to local fish market

Name of the

market

Name of fish-

seller

Types of fish by weight (kg) to sell

in 1970-75

Types of fish by weight (kg) to sell in 2011

Imported Local Imported Local

From Jalangi Other From Jalangi Other

1. S.Akhtar 0 14 5 12 2.5 5.2

2. P.Halder 0 10 6 15 5 2

Tehatta 3. P.Das 0 8 10 35 0 3

4. T.Das 12 12 5 22 5.75 1.5

Bazar 5. U.Das 0 5 0 10 1.2 0

6. S.Biswas 0 9 10 12 8.5 5

7. U.Dafader 0 16 7 5 5.5 1.5

8. D.Mandal 0 10 8 15 0 2

Total 7 84 51 126 28.45 20.2

% contribution 4.93 59.15 35.92 72.14 16.29 11.59

Source: Market survey

The cause of decrease in per capita in fish catch is

not a single one. Causes are many and are identified

by fishermen themselves. Detachment of the river

from the river Padma and consequent absence of silt

laden current is the main cause for the decrease in fish

catch and this was opined by 37.1 % fishermen

(Figure 5). Decrease in volume of the river was

opined by 15.6 % and water pollution was opined by

15.1 % fishermen as causes of decrease in fish catch.

Detachment of the river Jalangi from Padma and

decrease in fish

population along with decrease in volume of the

river are the joint factor for decrease in fish catch

and were opined by 21.4 % fishermen. 3.5 %

fishermen belief that due to increase in number of

fishermen, there per capita catch has fallen sharply.

According to 7.4 % fishermen, influential and rich

members of the so called fishermen’s co-operative

society are responsible for the decrease in per

capita fish catch by poor fishermen.

Table 3 Taranipur: Reasons for decline in Fish Catch

CAUSE Village Taranipur C.D. Block Tehatta-I

No. of respondents % of respondents

1.Increased fishermen 4 8 4.5

2. Decreased water 3 6 13.2

3. Blockage of off-take 11 22 37.6

4. Water pollution 6 12 24.5

5. Both 2 and 3 15 30 15.7

6. Influence of rich co-

operative member

11 22 4.5

Total 50 100 100

SOURCE: FIELD SURVEY

Different fishermen’s co-operative society takes

lease a part of the river to get exclusive right to catch

fish from that reach. So called rich and politically and

mussel powered members of the co-operative




societies of fishermen often put the lion share of the

lease-money for the society to pay to the government

revenue. As a result, those rich and influential

members use the society as per their own will and

interest. They take authority of major part of the reach

of the river from the society and do not allow anybody

to catch from that reach. Consequent is that, the poor

fishermen loss their birth right to catch from river and

they become forced to be day-labor to catch for those

rich members. 22% of respondents of Taranipur

village opines that the decrease in their catch is due to

the intrusion of rich members in fishermen co-

operative society who are not fishermen at all (Table

3). On the other hand, only 4.5% respondents in

average from C. D. Block Tehatta-I opines that

grasping of river reach by rich members of fishermen

co-operative society are the hidden cause for decline

in their catch. It implies that, nails of rich members of

fishermen co-operative society in the village

Taranipur are sharper than other villages of the C. D.

Block Tehatta I. If there was no such ‘intoxicated co-

operative society of fishermen’ the poor fishermen

could catch for themselves and such ‘rich members’

who has no net and hook for catch could never be able

to snatch catch of poor fishermen. However, it does

not pale the good of real co-operative society.

Fig: 5 Causes of Decrease in Fish Catch as perceived by Fishermen, Source: Field survey

IV. CHANGE IN ANCESTRAL OCCUPATION

The impact of decaying rather changes in the

course of the river Jalangi on occupation is prominent

on those people, who are directly dependent on the

river for their livelihood. They are fishermen. In most

cases without any exception, it was found that

fishermen of Taranipur have shifted from their

ancestral profession of fishing to rickshaw puller or

day laborer. Some of them have moved to other states

like Kerala and Maharastra to earn their livelihood

mainly as waiter in the hotels or as mansions (Table 4

and Figure 6).. Another important occupation where

the present generation has shifted from their ancestral

one is hand loom weaving. Percentage of workers in

this occupation has increased considerably in present

generation.

As fish population in the river Jalangi has been

decreased alarmingly, it is not only difficult rather

impossible to earn livelihood by fishing. As a result

most of the fishermen are either shifted to other

occupation along with fishing or left their ancestral

occupation choosing another one that gives more

income

Table 4Taranipur: Change in Ancestral Occupations

Occupation % of Present

Generation occupation

% of father's occupation % of Grandpa's

occupation Agriculture 47.11 58.68 31.61

Fishing 5.39 14.55 41.92

Handloom 23.69 16.36 10.08

Service 3.92 1.89 2.64




Handicraft 1.82 1.49 2.53

Day labor 6.47 1.56 1.35

Rickshaw puller 3.08 0.54 0

Others 8.52 4.93 9.87

Source: Field Survey

At present, 5.39% of fishermen are engaged in

fishing while it was 41.92 % during grandpa’s

generation (Table 4 and Figure 6). No rickshaw puller

was there in Taranipur during grandpa’s time which is

3.08% at present. Shifting of fishermen towards

agriculture and handloom sector is remarkable.

Fig: 6 Taranipur: Change in ancestral Occupational Structure of Fishermen

V. CONCLUSION

The life line of particular place is the river flowing

through it. Jalangi is the life line of the district of

Nadia and it controls the socio-economic-cultural or

better to say every sphere of life of the people

especially of fishermen living on the banks of the

river. Decaying of the river exerts great influence on

fishing which was the main source of earning of

fishermen of Taranipur. Fishermen has lost their

ancestral occupation and shifted to other occupation

like rickshaw puller, day labor, etc. Although, some

other pulling factors are there, yet as per their opinion,

sharp decrease in catch has pushed them to choose

alternative occupation.

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