A STUDY ON PROFILE OF FISHING COMMUNITY OF THE RIVER SIDE VILLAGES OF RIVER CHURNI, NADIA, WEST BENGAL WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO SOCIO-ECONOMIC AND TECHNOLOGICAL APPRAISAL OF FISHERMEN

A profilistic study on the socio-economic status of the fishermen community of the river-side villages of River Churni was conducted during 2012. A total sample of respondents was 240 families and only the main earning member was considered as respondents. Pre-tested interview schedule was used for the collection of information after conducting a preliminary survey to construct a clear idea about the status of fishermen on river side areas. The result of the study revealed that most of the responded were belonging to the Hindu community (58.75%) besides Muslims (37.91%) and others. About 50.83% of total respondents were found to belong under the age group above 19yrs and below 40 yrs. About 36.25% were belonging to the Scheduled caste category. Illiteracy was found one of the major problems of the studied area as about 34.16% respondents were found to be illiterate. Though major occupation was fishing but many of the respondents affirmed about presence of their part time works (viz., rickshaw pulling, contract labouring etc) in their lively hood to increase the income a little bit. On further interrogations it was confirmed that smoking, chewing of beetle nut, consumption of alcoholic liquor, addiction to tobacco leaves and other injurious habits were very common in the fishermen community. Using of very simple equipments or gears for fishing were found among the fishermen. Monthly income of most of the families (49.16%) was found between Rs. 2500 to Rs. 5000. The investigation revealed that the basic problem of the socio-economic degradation is due to the increasing pollution in to and gradual decrease in the productivity of the river. The study was also confirmed that general socio-economic status of the fishermen community of the river side areas could be improved by the proper interference of government and planned development of infrastructural condition related to fishing.