Ram Kumar, Santosh Kumar Abuja
Abstract
A survey was conducted randomly during January to December, 2015 on fish diversity and livelihood of indigenous tribes residing in Anpum village around the drainages of Sinkin tributary of Dibang River. A total of 42 species has been recorded under 34 genera belong to 15 families. It reveals that Cyprinidae was the most dominant (33.3 %) followed by Nemacheilidae (14.29%); Bagridae and Cobitidae (9.52% each); Siluridae, Amblyciptidae and Badidae (4.76 % each) and rest of the families (2.38 % each). The relative abundance was highest in case of Chagunius chagunio (15.38%) followed by Barilius bendelisis (12.45%) whereas Puntius ticto, Amblyceps sp., Sistura sp., Balitora brucei, Kryptopterus indicus etc showed lowest value (0.37% each). As per IUCN, species status reveals that Least Concerned was 29; Data Deficient was 7; Near Threatened was 4 and Vulnerable were 2. Eighty (80) households in Padun and Adi tribes comprised of 223 females and 212 males were used for socio-economic survey. Study unfolded that majority (87.5%) households were joint families only with 12.5 % as nuclear families. Educational status revealed that illiteracy rate was 32.64%, 57.2% up to primary level, 6.20% up to high school level, 3.21% up to higher secondary and 0.67% up to graduate level. Agriculture was main source of income for 55.17% family where fishing was found as main for 34.94%. Interestingly only 9.88% inhabitant showed diverse subsidiary occupation. The other use of water body was bathing/Agriculture (100%) and drinking to some extent. Regarding the status of fisheries 100% response of the respondent revealed the increase of fishery and fishing in the area. Moreover, monthly family income ranged Rupees. 0 to 5000/-for 12.5%; Rupees. 5001 to 10,000/- for 37.5% and more than Rupees. 10,000/- for 50.0% of total household.