06-bioresourcesstatu.. - M. S. Swaminathan Research Foundation

one or two families in very few of other villages.
Each year about 5000 people within a radius of ten
to 100 kIn around Pulicat Lake come for fishing.
(fig 3)
'00
90
0)
70
eo
40 '"
90
20
10
0
Figure 3. Community Composition of Pullcat Lake
FOrw8rd
BllCkward
Souroe : F1sberJes Census" 2000
1. Livelihood patterns
Most backward
ScheckileclC&ste
Historically fishing was the major livelihood
activity in the region. The changes in the bioresource
pattern lead to giving an equal emphasis
to the agriculture in the surrounding regions of the
lake. In the present context both can be
considered as important sources of livelihood. The
other sources of livelihoods are Charcoal making,
toddy tapping, timber plantation and agricultural
labourers. Small-scale livelihoods include shell
excavation, woodcutting, transportation, .small
.business, money lending, vending etc. Out of total
adult population in the Pulicat region of Tamil
Pulicat Lake
Nadu, 57.71% are involved in money earning
livelihoods in which 80.54% is men and 19.46% is
women. Fishing, fresh fish trade (FIT), dry fish
trade (DFT), net making, allied activities,
government and private jobs are the
main occupation of the region. Men
mainly concentrate on fishing where as
women concentrate on FFT and DIT.
Less than 5% of the income generating
population is involved in government
and private jObs (fig 4).
iii. Economic Conditions
Pulicat was a thriving market in
international trade during the pre
colonial and colonial times. It was
during the Dutch period that Pulicat
was at its peak of glory, exporting a
wide range of textiles from cotton to silk, muslin,
and colored velvet's, calicoes, salted fish and
spices. Today though agricultural products do not
contribute much to the economic activity of
Pulicat, other occupations like fishing and trading
have made it an emerging urban center. However,
the fisher folk in the Pulicat region are much
below the poverty line of the country, more than
50% of population earns less than Rs 6000 per
year. Only 4 % represent above 15,000, which is
also IIluch below the poverty line (fig 5).
SchedJledTribe
The traditional industries of PulIcat are
• Pullcat Handloom Lungi Industry: Pulicat was
one of the major cotton textile centers in the
Figure 4. Comparison of Livelihoods among Men and Women In the Pul1cat Region In Tamil Nadu
0).00
70.00
60.00
50.00
% ,",,00
90.00
20.00
10.00
000
RSll
.67 0.04 0.01 1.66 0,01 0.01 0.70 0.09
322
0.02 1.10 0.00 0.89 0.32
ASling HT OFT Net !mldna: Alliedactivlties Governrrent Prlyate Othen Total
Source : FJaber/sa Census, 3000
147
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