Research Authors & Affiliations
Fahmida Hossain, Sayeda Akhter, Md. Ashif Hasan Razu*, Mir Farjana Sharmin and Muhammad Bayezid Husain
Department of Sociology and Anthropology, Asian University of Bangladesh, Dhaka-1341, Bangladesh.
Publisher Information
Journal: South Asian Journal of Social Studies and Economics
Published: 2026
Status: Open Access
Published: 2026
Status: Open Access
Digital Object Identifier (DOI):
https://doi.org/10.9734/sajsse/2026/v23i21262
https://doi.org/10.9734/sajsse/2026/v23i21262
Open Peer Review History:
View Official Review History
View Official Review History
Authors' Contributions
This work was carried out in collaboration among all authors. Authors FH, SA, MAHR, MFS and MBH designed the study, collected field data, and drafted the manuscript. Author SA supervised the study, contributed to the analysis, and revised the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.
Abstract
This is an empirical study that explores the socio-economic conditions of fishermen living along the Turag River, a peri-urban area of Dhaka in Bangladesh. Using a mixed-methods approach, the study combines a household survey of 150 fisher households with in-depth interviews, focus group discussions, case studies, and key informant interviews in Rostompur, Paragram, and Noapara.
Guided by the Sustainable Livelihoods Framework (SLF), the finding shows a multidimensional crisis. Industrial pollution has exhausted the stock of fish, exhausting the community's primary natural capital. Households are highly vulnerable with low literacy (88.7% primary education or less), precarious incomes (60% earn ≤ 600 BDT/day), and limited credit access. The study highlights an intergenerational shift, where 85% of parents discourage children from fishing, yet lack of funds prevents transition to other careers. Combined policy action is essential for the ecological recovery of the Turag River and the social welfare of these urbanizing contexts.
Keywords: Fishermen, livelihoods, pollution, sustainable livelihoods framework (SLF), Turag River, Bangladesh
Guided by the Sustainable Livelihoods Framework (SLF), the finding shows a multidimensional crisis. Industrial pollution has exhausted the stock of fish, exhausting the community's primary natural capital. Households are highly vulnerable with low literacy (88.7% primary education or less), precarious incomes (60% earn ≤ 600 BDT/day), and limited credit access. The study highlights an intergenerational shift, where 85% of parents discourage children from fishing, yet lack of funds prevents transition to other careers. Combined policy action is essential for the ecological recovery of the Turag River and the social welfare of these urbanizing contexts.
Keywords: Fishermen, livelihoods, pollution, sustainable livelihoods framework (SLF), Turag River, Bangladesh
SOCIAL SCIENCE RESEARCH | ASIAN UNIVERSITY OF BANGLADESH | 2026