Article Dans Une Revue UTTAR PRADESH JOURNAL OF ZOOLOGY Année : 2025

Ethnozoological Perspectives on Otter Fishing in the Indian Sundarban: Evolution of Traditional Knowledge, Its Drivers and Revival Mechanisms

Résumé

Otters had existed for over 23 million years, with modern forms evolving around 7 million years ago. Initially land-dwelling, they gradually adapted to aquatic environments developing webbed feet, enhanced lung capacity, and dense fur for cold-water insulation while retaining terrestrial mobility. This adaptability enabled unique human-otter interactions, such as traditional otter-assisted fishing, which had still been practiced in parts of the Sundarban World Heritage Site, India. This study investigated the evolution, drivers, and decline of otter-fishing traditions in South 24 Parganas, West Bengal, focusing on the life cycle, social behavior, foraging strategies, communication, seasonal and habitat adaptations, ecological roles, and conservation challenges of the Smooth-Coated Otter (Lutrogale perspicillata). A cross-sectional analytical approach was used, incorporating structured interviews, radar plots, and binary logistic regression among 124 otter-fishing community members (February–May 2024). Results revealed low awareness levels (39–47%) across knowledge domains, with 60.48% of respondents showing low knowledge retention and only 8.88% exhibiting high retention. Key predictors of knowledge retention included Elder Interaction (β = 1.006, p < 0.01), Cooperative Membership (β = 1.390, p < 0.05), and Access to Media (β = 0.856, p < 0.10). Ecologically, otters had played a vital role as meso-carnivores, maintaining aquatic ecosystem balance through trophic interactions and habitat modifications. However, habitat degradation, fish stock depletion, and the erosion of intergenerational knowledge transmission had threatened this tradition. To address these challenges, this study recommended the revival of traditional knowledge through oral history documentation, the establishment of eco-museums, and media-led awareness campaigns. Strengthening community-based networks would support the coexistence of biodiversity and livelihoods in the Sundarbans, highlighting a model for integrating indigenous knowledge with conservation.

Dates et versions

hal-05096674 , version 1 (04-06-2025)

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Citer

Shruti Samadder, Sudhanand Prasad Lal, Satya Prakash, K.M Singh. Ethnozoological Perspectives on Otter Fishing in the Indian Sundarban: Evolution of Traditional Knowledge, Its Drivers and Revival Mechanisms. UTTAR PRADESH JOURNAL OF ZOOLOGY, 2025, 46 (11), pp.196-212. ⟨10.56557/upjoz/2025/v46i115019⟩. ⟨hal-05096674⟩
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