Poverty, Inequality and Natural Resources Degradation

The present study is an attempt to understand the link between natural resource degradation and poverty among people dependent on these resources. This is done by examining the impact of depletion of marine resources on the livelihood and socio-economic condition of the small-scale marine fishery community in South Kerala. In Kerala, nearly ten lakh fisherfolk depend on the marine fishery resources for their livelihood. The overall level of education of the small-scale fishing community is lower than that of the State’s rural population. Almost all the households surveyed, is one way or other, depend on fishery resources for livelihood. Low levels percapita income and high levels of inequality imply the existence of a large proportion of poor people in the community who are vulnerable to external shocks. The study reveals that poverty was comparatively higher among households with no fishing assets, with only one earner, with more than two children, and depending entirely on pensions/remittances. The study has not provided any evidence to show that poverty in the community is the result of depletion of marine resources.

Farm Poverty in Kerala: A case study of Alappuzha, Trissur, Palakkad and Wayanad

The present study was an attempt to analytically approach the problem of farm poverty in Kerala from an entirely different angle by incorporating an independently developed and reformulated definition of poverty line in terms of physical units of operational holdings (say, acre). The entire discussion on farm poverty emerged out of proper co-ordination of two important factors popularly considered as the distinct features of Ipoverty, conducted in the light of inter regional variations in farm productivity tried to highlight various grave issues deserving thorough introspection.

Fish traps in inland waters of north kerala

Result of the study on traditional traps in the inland waters of three northern districts viz, Kasargod, Kannur and Kozhikode in Kerala state during 2003-2004 is presented. Mainly six types of traps are found in operation. Chempally koode is a rectangular bamboo trap with" D" shape in cross section operated without bait in some rivers of Kannur and Kasargod. Bamboo screen barriers are almost completely replaced with durable HDPE net screen to make handling easy. Thottil vala is a unique aerial trap operated from the dam in Pazhassi reservoir during monsoon to catch big fishes jumping against flowing water.