Development Vision of the Fisherfolk along Bhadreshwar Coast

Development VIsion of Traditional Fisherfolk along Bhadreshwar Coast

Fishing in the Mundra Coast

The Kutch coastline accounts for the longest coastline of Gujarat and is home to 3500 fishing families. Mundra in the southern region of Kutch is the smallest block with a coastline of 72 kms stretching across 10 coastal settlements, home to nearly 10,000 fisherfolk.












The fishing community comprises of Muslims. Waghers as they are locally known is derived from “Wah! Gher” in Kutchi i.e. an expression of applauding the skilful laying of net to trap fish which is believed to be a skill mastered by the community people. The lives of the people are intricately linked with the sea and the beach and the people are self sufficient and independent.













The Banders are at a distance of 7-80 kms from main villages. Families from 3-4 villages might settle on a Bander. This practice has been in vogue for centuries. But the fisherfolks’ rights over this land are yet to be established. Says Ibrahim Kaka,
“We have been fishing on these coasts for 200 years. There is plenty of evidence to prove that we have been fishing on these coasts for so many years. But, our land is yet to be regularized.” People live in shelters made of gunny bags and other easily available material such as plastic sheets. This is the only protection against weather conditions that are quite harsh. Heavy winds, high temperature upto 45’ C and low temperature upto 5’C. The entire family shifts to the bandar for 8-9 months in a year. All the family members are involved in one way or the other in the fishing occupation. In-spite of the adverse conditions, they manage to survive, and earn their livelihood, which in itself is a testimony to the strength and endurance of the people.


Livelihood




Pagadia Fishing
The Pagadia fishworkers stay in thevillages and enter into the sea on foot to lay net and catch fish














Fishing by Motorised Boats
The boat owners use their wooden or fibre boats to enter deep into the sea using oil engines and lay the net
manually. The boat fish workers stay at settlements close to coasts for eight-nine months every year and come to live in the villages only during monsoon.














The entire family plays a major role in the fishing occupation. Women perform the only value additions done to fish here, viz., sorting and drying. Women are also involved in selling fish at local markets and in house to house retail sale of fish.










Annual Fish production by the traditional fishing in the Mundra coast is estimated to be nearly 12,000 MT valued at nearly 60.8 Crores (At current market prices). Each family should have substantial revenue, if they were able to sell directly to the market.

The Adanis and the OPGs say(in their Environment Impact Assessment Reports) that there is no significant commercial fishery in the Mundra area. This is misleading and perhaps the result of a lack of understanding of the fisheries of India. Small Scale “artisanal” fishing contributes around 40% of the marine fish production in India. Such small scale fishing may appear “non-commercial” or “subsistence” However, the reality is that such small scale fishing is a full time occupation and around 75% of the employment in fishing is from the small scale sector. Also this fishing is not for “subsistence” (i.e., self consumption), but for the market. The fish caught by the small fishermen of Kutch, including the pagadiyas, go to distant internal markets (Fresh fish to Bombay, dry fish to the North East) as well as for export (Shrimp and Lobsters to Europe and Japan, dried “Bombay Duck” to Sri Lanka.

Likely Impact of Industries on Traditional Fishing in Mundra Coast

Likely Impact of Adanis' Port and SEZ on 10 Traditional Fishing Settlements. Directly Affected population - Nearly 10000 people.

1. Boat Fishing would be completely stopped as Fisherfolk are likely to be physically displaced from their settlement as the intertidal area is marked for development of Port Backup / SEZ in the project plan.

2. Fisherfolks' access road to the Bander is likely to be blocked due to restrictions imposed for the port/SEZ.

3. Fishing would be affected due to Desalination plants proposed near the coast.

4. Fishing in the region would be affected due to dumping of hazardous wastes from the two Shipping yards proposed.

5. Pagadiya Fishing will be completely stopped as access roads to Fishing grounds will be blocked to restrictions imposed by SEZ and intertidal zone will be filled up.

Full Details of Impact on Fishing

Other Impacts of Project

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What do the Adanis say?
There is no Significant Commercial Fishing in the Area, hence no question of displacement, relief or rehabilitation.


Likely Impact of OPG Power Plant on Traditional Fishing in Randh Bandar. Directly Affected population - Nearly 2000 people.

1. Boat Fishing would be completely stopped in Randh Bandar as Fisherfolk are likely to be physically displaced from their settlement

2. Fisherfolks' access road to the Bander is likely to be blocked by the Power Plant

3. Fishing would be affected due to construction of Desalination plants proposed near the coast.

4. Fishing in the region would be affected due to discharge of sea-water used for cooling into the sea.

5. Pagadiya Fishing will be completely stopped as access roads to Fishing grounds will be blocked to restrictions imposed by Power Plant.

6. Fly ash and toxic gases generated by the power plant will make the area uninhabitable.

There are several Saltpans in the area. THe toxic affluents of the power plant are likely to affect the saltpans.

Location of OPG Power Plant vis-a- vis Fishing Settlement(Randh Bandar)

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What do the OPGs say?
There is no Fishing in the Area, hence no question of displacement, relief or rehabilitation.