Industrial Pollution and Fish Kill Impacts on Pizhala’s Fishing Livelihoods

Abstract

Pizhala, in Kerala’s ecologically sensitive backwaters, faces severe socio-economic and environmental impacts due to recurrent fish kills caused by industrial pollution. This study examines the effects on fishing communities whose livelihoods rely on capture fisheries and aquaculture. This study combines primary data from field surveys with supporting secondary sources. The analysis reveals significant income losses, rising debt, and declining fish demand, with over half of the respondents losing more than ₹20,000 per incident. Adaptive strategies include alternative livelihoods, collective action, and environmental support. However, there are financial and structural constraints that limit their resilience. These findings highlight the urgent need for stringent pollution control, sustainable fishery management, and targeted support to safeguard livelihoods and restore ecological sustainability. Future research should focus on the long-term ecological monitoring of water quality and fish populations in Pizhala. This will help us better understand the frequency and causes of fish-kill events. There is also a need for economic valuation of environmental damage and livelihood losses faced by fishing households.