Fishers’ Livelihood Diversification in Bhagirathi–Hooghly Stretch of Ganga River in India

For the resource-poor fishers, livelihood diversification is a strategy to cope with the uncertainties and inadequateness of fisheries as a profession. The present study is an attempt to assess the socioeconomic conditions together with livelihood diversification of fishermen households of the Bhagirathi– Hooghly stretch of Ganga River. Data were collected by personally interviewing 500 fishermen from Sagar to Farakka (560 km stretch) in West Bengal using survey schedules in 2016. Analysis of data indicated that the socio-economic conditions of fishermen households were not encouraging. Fishing is the main occupation of around 88.60% of fishers and overall, fishing contributes about 70.30% to the total income of the family. Average number of income-generating activities per household ranged from 1.43 in the lower stretch to 1.79 in the upper stretch. Further, it was found that not only the average household income and number of income sources were limited, their level of diversification was also quite low. The monthly income of a household was found to be Rs 9391. The income is higher in the lower stretch because of higher catch and high value fish in the catch. Fishery as an only profession is unable to provide a decent life. The study also revealed that among other factors, the Simpson index contributes positively and significantly towards per capita income of the fisher households. However, in the absence of suitable alternative opportunities, the resource is under pressure. Government needs to develop appropriate strategies to facilitate successful livelihood diversification. Facilities may be created for non-fishing activities like fish marketing kiosks, cloth weaving facilities, agro-processing in fruit orchard areas, e-rickshaws and so on. Fishers may be trained in other income-generating activities like carpentry, embroidery, dress making, driving, etc. for better livelihood.