“Livelihood and status of a fishing community (Hut-Dwellers), phubala, manipur - A case study”

The study site is particularly referred to Hut-dwellers. They almost depend on fishery for their livelihood at the Loktak Lake. The work is done to assess the socio-economic and fishery status of this particular community. The assessment is mainly based on field visit, questionnaire, interaction, etc. seasonally. Traditional fishing crafts and gears such as nets, traps, hooks and lines, small canoe, etc. are mainly used. During April-June, they face problems in fishing due to heavy rain and storms. So, they have to work for daily wages to maintain family. On the other hand, maximum catch is found in rainy season and can earn Rs.1000/day. Fishing and marketing is equally shared by both sexes and processing is mainly performed by women fishers only. They sell both fresh and smoked fishes at Phubala, Ningthoukhong, Moirang and Imphal market. Some commercial species are Channa sps., Notopterus notopterus, Amblypharyngodon mola, Esomus danricus, Puntius sps., Cyprinus sps., Labeo rohita, Cirrhinus mirgala, shrimps, etc. Fortunately, the children got education at primary school and medical care from Phubala Health Centre. Road approaching to the village is kutcha and condition during rainy season is pathetic. A small rivulet separates it from the Loktak lake and its crossing through wooden planks is very risky and dangerous. Physico-chemical characters are recorded as favourable. Sustainable development is the urgent need of the hour for these particular hut-dwellers.