Indigenous fish attractants, fishing methods, gears and storage: A study in fishing community of Wular Lake of district Bandipora of Kashmir valley

Abstract

Fisheries sector in Kashmir valley has enormous potential and can contribute significantly to the state GDP. However, the untapped potential needs to be explored fully. Culture fisheries is still in its infancy stage as fishing is confined to harvesting and selling only using the indigenous techniques. The area of culture fisheries is yet to be explored using the technological interventions. For growth and development of culture fisheries, identifying the indigenous fishing methods followed by refinement of traditional methods along with introduction of new technology where ever required is a must. Despite the fact that technology is important for any field to progress, the traditional knowledge of any community can’t be ignored. The wealth of knowledge possessed by any community can be utilized efficiently for the benefit of the community. The present study was conducted in district Bandipora (Latitude-34.4, Longitude-74.6), one of the major fish producing districts of Kashmir valley. The study focused on knowing and documenting the indigenous fish bait, gears and storage used by the fishers along with the scope for introducing the new technology. The survey was carried out in 10 villages, situated along the Wular lake. Personal interview and PRA (Participatory Rural Appraisal) methods were used for data collection. The survey revealed that fishing was done using traditional methods with least technological interventions. Fishing was the only source of livelihood for most of the fishers and the income generated from the traditional fishing was hardly enabling them to make both the ends meet. Despite being the inhabitants of Wular Lake that is a Ramsar site and is an important fish habitat, the fishers continue to live in vicious cycle of poverty and underdevelopment.