products like milk and eggs for family consumption. Still some well to do
households own a few hens, cows and sheep. There was only one poultry farmer in
Beguakhali, Sagar who was a respondent is amongst the 160 families interviewed.
1.2.3 Fishing as a Livelihood
The interconnected and innumerable tidal canals and creeks that form an intricate
network of waterways in Sunderbans are teeming with juvenile population of fish
species (Banerjee 1998). Fishing is a major livelihood in the region, along with
cultivation and crabs/prawn seed collection. Parts of the rivers lying about
2069 km
2 inside the Reserve Forest are considered ideal for riverine fishing
depending on traditional methods. Boats locally known as naukas (country boats)
are generally used by the fishermen in the region; at times trawlers (large motor
boats) are also used (Patel et al. 2009). Fishermen of the South 24 Parganas have
more access to the sea unlike their counterparts in the North 24 Parganas. Fishing
and prawn seed collections are carried out by both men and women in inter tidal
waters (Patel et al. 2009). Fishermen in most of these remote islands do not have
storage facilities and it causes much hindrance to them. The fishing areas in this
region include, (i) Inland fisheries having freshwater species like Rohu, Katla,
Mrigal, Kalbose etc. (ii) Estuarine fisheries with brackish water fish culture locally
called Bhasa bada, nona bheri fisheries (Banerjee 1998). The islands in Eastern
Sunderban include small fishermen with country boats and they usually fish in the
rivers or the creeks. Some of them get permission to fish in the Reserved Forest
water bodies. Though fishing in the reserved forest waters is more profitable, it is
also far more risky. There are Tigers on land or Crocodiles in the water. There have
been countless incidents where fishermen have either been attacked by tigers, bears
and crocodiles. It is estimated that currently there are over 1000 widows whose
husbands have been killed by tigers in the remote islands of Sunderbans (www.
tigerwidows.org).
Baby prawns are generally sold to agents who nurture them in brackish water
fisheries and subsequently sell the catch to make huge profit. The villagers earn a
pittance as compared to these agents. The harmful effects of prawn fishing have
been discussed later in the paper.
1.2.4 Other Practiced Livelihoods
Apart from faming and fishing the people of Sunderbans are also engaged in
collecting forest resources, such as wood and honey. However, these are rather
risky occupations as people are frequently attacked by bears and tigers. Also, since
1980s restrictions have been imposed by the Government with regards to collection
of forest resources. They have started driving diesel-driven cycle vans, which
carries both passengers and goods. The earnings are meagre and vary on a daily
basis. A large number of peasants have taken up this occupation in addition to
Is There a Tomorrow?: The Story of Survival …
363
households own a few hens, cows and sheep. There was only one poultry farmer in
Beguakhali, Sagar who was a respondent is amongst the 160 families interviewed.
1.2.3 Fishing as a Livelihood
The interconnected and innumerable tidal canals and creeks that form an intricate
network of waterways in Sunderbans are teeming with juvenile population of fish
species (Banerjee 1998). Fishing is a major livelihood in the region, along with
cultivation and crabs/prawn seed collection. Parts of the rivers lying about
2069 km
2 inside the Reserve Forest are considered ideal for riverine fishing
depending on traditional methods. Boats locally known as naukas (country boats)
are generally used by the fishermen in the region; at times trawlers (large motor
boats) are also used (Patel et al. 2009). Fishermen of the South 24 Parganas have
more access to the sea unlike their counterparts in the North 24 Parganas. Fishing
and prawn seed collections are carried out by both men and women in inter tidal
waters (Patel et al. 2009). Fishermen in most of these remote islands do not have
storage facilities and it causes much hindrance to them. The fishing areas in this
region include, (i) Inland fisheries having freshwater species like Rohu, Katla,
Mrigal, Kalbose etc. (ii) Estuarine fisheries with brackish water fish culture locally
called Bhasa bada, nona bheri fisheries (Banerjee 1998). The islands in Eastern
Sunderban include small fishermen with country boats and they usually fish in the
rivers or the creeks. Some of them get permission to fish in the Reserved Forest
water bodies. Though fishing in the reserved forest waters is more profitable, it is
also far more risky. There are Tigers on land or Crocodiles in the water. There have
been countless incidents where fishermen have either been attacked by tigers, bears
and crocodiles. It is estimated that currently there are over 1000 widows whose
husbands have been killed by tigers in the remote islands of Sunderbans (www.
tigerwidows.org).
Baby prawns are generally sold to agents who nurture them in brackish water
fisheries and subsequently sell the catch to make huge profit. The villagers earn a
pittance as compared to these agents. The harmful effects of prawn fishing have
been discussed later in the paper.
1.2.4 Other Practiced Livelihoods
Apart from faming and fishing the people of Sunderbans are also engaged in
collecting forest resources, such as wood and honey. However, these are rather
risky occupations as people are frequently attacked by bears and tigers. Also, since
1980s restrictions have been imposed by the Government with regards to collection
of forest resources. They have started driving diesel-driven cycle vans, which
carries both passengers and goods. The earnings are meagre and vary on a daily
basis. A large number of peasants have taken up this occupation in addition to
Is There a Tomorrow?: The Story of Survival …
363