CLIMATE CHANGE PERCEPTIONS OF NICOBAR TRIBAL FISHERS IN CAR NICOBAR ISLAND, INDIA

The anticipated impacts of climate change events on small Islands could be alarming due to their geographic setting of the small islands surrounded by seas and inhabited by people depending on these islands for livelihood. Andaman and Nicobar group of islands are chain of 572 islands situated in Bay of Bengal with ten degree channel dividing the two groups of island. While Andaman group of islands are mostly inhabited by settler populace, Nicobar groups are inhabited mostly by Nicobar tribal fishers with Car Nicobar as headquarter completely inhabited by Nicobar tribes. Car Nicobar Islands are basically flat Island except some cliffs and is bordered by flat ground consisting of coralline diluvium. The Tsunami and earthquake of Indian Ocean in 2004 caused a major damage to ANI more particularly in Nicobar Islands wherein, Car Nicobar is one of the most affected islands claiming several lives, infrastructure and property loss. Despite possessing abundant traditional wisdom on fishing practices, climate change impacts remain an imminent threat to the livelihood, particularly the Car Nicobar Island due to its geographic setting and population.

A survey was conducted among the Nicobar tribal fishers (n=65) representing 15 villages of Car Nicobar (Fig. 1) to understand their perceptions and understanding to climate change events. Age groups of the respondents varied between 20 - 75 years with 63% of the respondents having fishing experience over 20 years. Hook and line, gill net, cast net and shore seining are more common fishing methods in the Islands. Almost 100% of the respondents seem to be aware on the knowledge of climate change and their importance through their own experience with customary knowledge on

sea level rise, species abundance, low fish catches and increased rainfall pattern. Their active fishing days were reduced to a greater extent due to change in rainfall patterns, prolonged monsoon and increased cyclonic incidences in the past few years as witnessed by tribal fishers. Few respondents were also aware through TV, news, radio and through resource personnel like scientists explaining the consequences of climate change events. Livelihood, employment and infrastructure loss seems to be the major concerns of the respondents however, respondents were not concerned on fish stock collapse or loss of fishing grounds and habitat destruction, etc. Embracing the uncertainties associated with climate change events and suitable adaptation measures to overcome such events are the imminent need to address the issues. Climate smart production technologies in fisheries sector needs to be more emphasized for sustainability of Nicobar fishers. Developing community resilience towards climate change with public awareness on adaptability and disaster management aspects could be the key interventions for Nicobar fishers.