The Relevance of Indigenous Knowledge System in Mitigating Vulnerability to Disaster- A Case of Fishermen Community of Kerala State

Abstract

This paper examines the contribution of indigenous knowledge of fishermen community towards disaster risk reduction activities in Kerala State. Usually the indigenous knowledge adopted by local community is viewed as unscientific and outdated. In this study, the indigenous knowledge of fisherfolk that enable them to effectively respond and tackle the adverse situation is highlighted. Using their vernacular expertise at sea, the fisherfolk had rescued about 65,000 marooned people during floods that affected Kerala State in August 2018. Just with the ease with which they catch fish, they were able to rescue the victims of flood. Alappad Panchayat of Karunagapally taluk of Kollam District, which was severely affected by Tsunami 2004 and even today susceptible to sea erosion and sand mining is chosen for Case study. About eleven Karayogams in Alappad panchayat had actively participated in the search and rescue operations that followed 2018 Kerala floods at Thiruvalla Municipality of Pathanamthitta District and at Kuttanad taluk and Chengannur Municipality of Alappuzha District.
Reconnaissance survey, Key informant interviews and researcher observation were used to collect data for the study. One of the major finding was that the local fishermen community understands even minute changes in weather pattern as well as behavior of certain animal species that get alarmed and hence they respond quickly thereby reducing the vulnerability to hazard. This paper concludes with the suggestion to include indigenous knowledge system along with the disaster risk reduction strategies of modern times. Then it would help policy makers and practitioners to plan effectively for the reduction of vulnerability of fisher community to coastal hazards.