The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh News : The unconventional evolution of fishing

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Wednesday, Aug 13, 2008
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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh

The unconventional evolution of fishing

S. Harpal Singh

Primitive tribes of Adilabad have used herbs, electricity and now mosquito nets

Unique methods: Kolams of Jendaguda village in Jainoor mandal fish with the mosquito nets given to them by ITDA for control of malaria.

ADILABAD: Because of their great liking for fish as food, the Gond and Kolam primitive tribes of Adilabad take to fishing just like the fish take to water. The floods of last week have given them more than ample opportunity to indulge in the sport of fishing as all water bodies are full to the brim and flush with fish.

Their conventional methods of fishing have remained unconventional as is evident in their using mosquito nets in local ponds, tanks and streams. These mosquito nets were handed over by the Integrated Tribal Development Agency, Utnoor as a means of protection from mosquito bites in view of the epidemic threat. The fish that get washed out with the flowing water or those that live in water in the ponds are caught in mosquito nets.

Not until too long ago, the Gonds and Kolams had practiced a unique way of catching fish based on their knowledge of the herbs in the jungles. This extinct technique involved mixing of powder from leaves of a local herb with the water in the local pond.

After about 30 minutes, the powder produced an effect in the water due to which the fish lost ‘consciousness’. The ‘fainted’ fish floated on the surface of water making it easy for the anglers to mop up the day’s catch.

Electric shock method

Later, when electricity was introduced in the agency area, the tribals used to electrically shock the fish in local water bodies. However, this practice was discontinued because of the inherent adverse effects. Usually, most of the tribal women spread the ‘kongu’ part of their sarees in the pond and streams to net the fish. They wait for the fish to come within the spread of the cloth before surprising it by lifting away the ’net’. The tribals like the fish to be of the size of a finger because it can be eaten soon after it is caught. The fish is roasted on a fire got from the dry twigs in the jungle.

A member of these tribes will not let go of an opportunity of catching just one fish even if it means he has to toil for the entire day to empty the pond. This is often quoted locally to show how much fond of eating fish the members of Gond and Kolam tribes are.

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