|
Researcher: Shankar Lal Das, Mass-line Media Centre
The Manta community (a river gypsy community distinct
from the Bedes) is one of the most vulnerable groups
in the southern coastal areas of Bangladesh. They are
a floating population who live in riverboats having
little or no social connection with the people of the
mainland. Their major occupation is to catch fish throughout
the year and for that reason they keep on moving in
search of better fishing grounds. They come to land
only for selling fish. With the continuous depletion
of fish resources from river and other water bodies
and for many other reasons the Mantas are facing serious
occupational crisis and face the risks of extinction
as a community. As citizens of the land, the Mantas
are neither enumerated in the census nor are fully enlisted
as voters. The objectives of the research are to document
the lives and livelihoods of the Manta community and
investigate the livelihood crisis they encounter in
their day-to-day life. A review and analysis of the
problems related to their livelihood crisis, applying
participatory research approach is expected to lead
to the development of an action research concept through
which to work out necessary solutions and guidance to
overcome the crisis of this community. The outcome of
this research is likely to result in recommendations
for mainstreaming of this 'missing poor' community not
otherwise captured by regular development programs.
|
