SOCIO-ECONOMIC STATUS OF FISHERMEN LIVING AT THE TANGON RIVER BANK UNDER PIRGANJ UPAZILA OF THAKURGAON DISTRICT

Abstract

The study was carried out to investigate the socio-economic conditions of the fishermen near Tangon river from Pirganj Upazila in Thakurgaon district. Data were collected for a period of four months from November 2016 to February 2017 by well-structured questionnaires. A total of 75 fishermen were randomly selected to evaluate the socioeconomic conditions and the livelihood status of the fishermen. Collected samples represent 89% Muslims and 11% Hindus of the fishermen. Family size ranged from 2 to 10 members and about 67% of the fishermen lived with nuclear families while rest 33% lived with joint families. Fifty two percent fishermen were illiterate, 24% were capable to sign only and rest 24 % had education up to primary level (class I to V). Most of the fishermen (77%) were belong to age group of >35-50 years, followed by 8% young people of >20-35 years, other 15% belonged to age group of >50 to 65 years. Fishing was the main occupation of the community. The average annual income of the fishermen was ranged from approximately 66000 to 90000 BDT. All fishers had access to drinking pure water from tube wells. Among the fishermen, 79% used own tube-well water and 21% used their neighbors tube-well for drinking water purposes. Most of the fishers (59%) lived in unconstructed houses, 10 % in semi constructed and 31% in tin shade houses. About 68 % of the fishermen enjoyed electricity facilities in their home while 32% had no electricity. Of the fishermen, 85% used unconstructed latrine, 7% semi-constructed latrine and 8% had no sanitary facilities. There were no modern medical facilities in the villages. Sixty eight percent of fishermen were dependent on village doctors and 32 % had access to Pirganj upazila health complex for medical treatment. The fishermen near Tangon River were leading measurable life due to great financial hardship. Therefore, proper conservation and management measures must be taken to enhance the abundance of fish fauna in Tangon River so that the fishermen can harvest ample fish on sustainable basis.