Traditional knowledge associated with fish harvesting practices of War Khasi community of Meghalaya

Abstract

The paper reports and analyses the findings of Traditional Ecological Knowledge associated with fish harvesting practices of War Khasi community, a sub tribe of Khasi, inhabiting southern slopes of Meghalaya. The study area has a forested landscape and harbours dense network of streams and rivers, viz. Wah Umsong, Wah Umsi, Wah Umshrei, Wah Umkhat, Wah Durit and Wah Umjar. These rivers and their associated water bodies are impregnated with a variety of fish and other aquatic life forms, which constitute a sizable part of the diet of local people. The War Khasi community has evolved several traditional fish-harvesting practices, locally known as Buh Kroh, Riam Kriah, Riam Khohka, Riam Kyllong, Ring Khashiar, Buh Ruh and Bia Dohpieh. The study revealed that these methods are most suited to local conditions, help in perpetual fish harvest and conservation of aquatic biodiversity of the region. The paper discusses the ecological and biodiversity value of these practices in the light of recent policy decisions of local communities concerning conservation of aquatic resources of region and other biodiversity enriching and livelihood enhancing practices of these communities.