Beyond the Waters: Unveiling the Occupational Hazards of Dal Lake’s Women Fish Retailers in Jammu and Kashmir


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Authors

  • Naila M Bhat ICAR-CIFE
  • Arpita Sharma
  • Rizwana Malik

https://doi.org/10.56093/jifa.v51i1.161439

Keywords:

Occupational Hazards, Fisher women, Kashmir, Cold water fisheries, Dal Lake

Abstract

Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir contributes 31% to India’s cold-water fish production, and Dal Lake is important for fisheries in this region. Many local women around the lake engage in fish capture and marketing, facing various occupational hazards that are often unreported. Thus, a study was done to assess occupational hazards and injuries faced by women fisher retailers using interview and observation methods. A list of occupational hazards was prepared through interactions with key informants and a review of literature. These were classified as cold weather, physical, biological, ergonomic, and psychosocial hazards. A sample of 60 fisherwomen was selected based on their active participation in fish capture and marketing activities within the lake region. Frostbite (90%) was the most frequent cold-weather injury, while cuts from fish fins or knives (96.6%) were the most common physical injuries. Biological hazards, primarily fish bites, affected 86.6% of fisherwomen. Ergonomic issues included back and neck pain from carrying heavy fish tubs, and psychosocial challenges involved anxiety (96.6%) and stress (73.3%) due to regional instability and the COVID-19 pandemic. Control measures were limited to traditional remedies like turmeric and henna, with no structured safety practices in place. This study emphasizes the need to integrate occupational safety measures in fisheries development planning to better support these essential workers.

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Submitted

28-11-2024

Published

22-05-2024

How to Cite

Naila M Bhat, Arpita Sharma, & Rizwana Malik. (2024). Beyond the Waters: Unveiling the Occupational Hazards of Dal Lake’s Women Fish Retailers in Jammu and Kashmir. Journal of Indian Fisheries Association, 51(1). https://doi.org/10.56093/jifa.v51i1.161439