Fishing Gears and methods used for Traditional fishing in Chirang District of Assam, North-East India
1P. Narzary, 1N. Basumatary and 1,2*B. K. Khangembam
1Department of Zoology, Bodoland University, P. O. Rangalikhata, Debargaon, Kokrajhar - 783370 (India) 2 Fish Biology Lab., Department of Zoology, Tripura University, Suryamaninagar, Tripura (W), Tripura-799022 (India) *Corresponding Author email: kbronson173@gmail.com
ABSTRACT
Traditional fishing gears and methods are significant for many rural fishing communities of Assam, India as fish provides affordable protein for nutrition, and a source of livelihood. The diversity and characteristics fishing gears and methods used traditionally by the different fishing communities in Chirang district, Assam was evaluated. Surveys were conducted in five villages viz., Tukrajhar No. 1, Boro Ladanguri No.1, Rowmari, Simlaguri and Hatisar FV in which 133 respondents participated. Twenty-five different types of fishing gears were recorded under different categories: Scooping Gears (4), Lift Nets (2), Traps & pots (2), Brush Park (4), Wounding gears (4), Hook & Lines (3), Entangling gear (1), Drag Net (1), Encircling gear (2) and Dewatering Gears (2). The Jekai & Kobai, Sen, Koka, Kewali Je, Bwrsi danda were the most commonly reported whereas Ontai jabnai was found to be unique and exclusively by the Bodo fishers of Indo-Bhutan bordering area of the Chirang district. Local materials such as bamboo, jute, indigenous plants etc. were used as raw material in most traditional gears. This study has highlighted the rich diversity of traditional fishing gears and methods of the region which may useful for the preservation of this traditional knowledge system.