Fulbari, 15th December: Fisherman Tapan Sarkar has been risking his life for 14 years, fishing in the Mahananda Barrage in Fulbari, located in the Rangapani area of Phansidewa block.
Tapan uses a makeshift tin boat to steer the dangerous waters of the Mahananda River, where he fishes for a variety of species including Rohu, Catla (South Asian carp), Boal (Sareng catfish), Tengara, and Puntius. The catch is then sold at the local fish market, where the earnings support his family, including his parents, wife, and children.
Speaking about his daily routine, Tapan states that every morning, he sets out with his nets, determined to catch fish despite the risks. He uses a tin boat to navigate the barrage waters, where the struggle to catch fish is constant. Although the work is dangerous, it’s the only way to make a living. Compounding the issue, there are fewer fish in these cold conditions, and there are days when he has to return empty-handed.
Tapan is not alone in his struggle. He mentioned that nearly 50 other fishermen in the region also depend on the Mahananda Barrage for their livelihoods, facing similar hardships daily.