Economic Vulnerability of Coastal Households in Southern Tamilnadu

Abstract

India is the world's largest fish employer and a leader in the fish business, according to statistics on fisheries and aquaculture. Regrettably this industry is largely affected by the change in the nature and one among it is climate changes. The effects of this climatic change manifest in the form of extreme weather events with varying frequency and intensity and due to which the sea level is increasing by the end of 21st century. The lives of coastal communities are also made more difficult by the increase in cyclones, storm surges, and coastal floods as well as the decrease in ocean fish catch brought on by human-caused climate change. Tamil Nadu is one of the top fish producing States located on the southern coast of India. In 2019 Tamilnadu produces 3.56 million metric tons of marine fish up 2.1% year on year. Tamil Nadu recorded 21 fishing villages in Thoothukudi district while the district’s revenue and administrative boundaries mention 24 fishing villages or hamlets in six coastal taluks. A structured questionnaire was administered and the respondents were personally contacted upon getting receiving assistance from the religious and community leaders. Employing random sampling, 689 samples from 24 coastal villages in Thoothukudi District. Economic Vulnerability Index (EVI) was measured with three different constructs namely; Exposure, Sensitivity, and Adaptive Capacity for each taluks. During the lean period, extreme weather conditions and climate change, the traditional fishing communities are also forced to adopt alternate livelihoods to satisfy their needs and the economic development of the country. The findings of the study show that the extreme weather conditions make costal households more vulnerable and lead to financial loss to the economically backward people. Out of six taluks Tiruchendur and Srivaikundam region people are more vulnerable due to the high degree of dependency on fishing and fishing- related economic activities.