Author(s): B. K. CHAKRABORTY, 1S. A. AZADI AND 1B. BORMON

Abstract: Cuchia (Monopterous cuchia), a delicious, nutritious and favorite fish for Adivasi and South Asian countries people was abundant throughout the Bangladesh. At present this fish is scarcely found in the open water system. The study was conducted in Kokraduba beel surrounding two Adivasi fisher’s villages Chitolia and Shampur; district Mymensingh to collect information about ecosystem health of Kokraduba beel, habitat, food and feeding habit and reproductive biology of cuchia (M. cuchia) by interviewing Adivasi fisher’s indigenous technological knowledge (ITK). Both primary and secondary data were collected by direct interviews to the Advasi respondents, Department of Fisheries and websites. According to the ITK method of Adivasi fisher’s, total production of the Kokraduba beel was recorded 14395.0 kg and 13208.0 kg between the year 2012 and 2013 respectively. About 8.25% production was decreased from 2012 to 2013. According to (78.57-88.01)% fisher’s blocked water flow and shallow depth of the beel, expansion of agriculture and aquaculture, use of chemicals, fertilizer and pesticide, infrastructure development and fishing pressure in breeding season were main causes for destruction of natural habitats and reducing production of M. cuchia in Kokraduba beel. Three fishing methods viz. physical (by hand picking), line and traps (bair) were identified in the survey area among which traps catches relatively undersized M. cuchia. According to the ITK method, food and feeding habit, identifying characteristics of male and female, breeding behavior, fecundity and larvae development, mother care, cannibalism were identified and 64.24% Adivasi fisher’s recognized that breeding period of M. cuchia was April to mid July. Updated Adivasi’s ITK method with science based knowledge on habitat, food and feeding habit, reproductive biology, management of hatchlings, fry and fingerling production, in alternative income generating activities (AIGAs) and developed value chain; will be a new horizon to develop ecosystem health and production of M. cuchia in the Kukraduba beel through community based co-management aspect.

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