Indian Journal of Traditional Knowledge

Vol. 13 (3), July 2014, pp. 619-625

Fishing gears operated in lentic and lotic water bodies of Cooch Behar district,
West Bengal, India
Ram Krishna Das & Sudip Barat*
Aquaculture and Limnology Research Unit, Department of Zoology,
University of North Bengal, Siliguri 734 013, District Darjeeling, West Bengal, India
E-mails: sudipbarat@rediffmail.com; ramkrishnazoology@gmail.com

Received 07.08.12, revised 20.01.14

A study was carried out to investigate different types of existing fishing gears employed by fishermen in lentic and lotic
water bodies namely beels, ponds and rivers of Cooch Behar district of West Bengal, India. Observations revealed that
various fishing gears are based on one or more factor such as behavior of fishes, microhabitat of fishes, physiography of
water body, seasons of a year and so on. In the district of Cooch Behar about 22 types of fishing gears were documented,
amongst them 8 are categorized as Net fishing gears, 2 as Tackles and 12 as Miscellaneous gears. Most of the fishing gears
are fabricated by local people and fishermen with the help of locally available materials. The very small mesh size, of some
fishing nets, catches all size groups of fishes and in turn results in depletion of fish diversity in the beels, ponds and rivers of
Cooch Behar district.

Keywords: Beel, Cooch Behar, Fish, Fishing gear, Pond, River

IPC Int. Cl.8: A01K 61/00, A01K 69/00, A01K 74/00, A01K 75/00, A01K 79/00

Cooch Behar district is located in the north eastern
part of the State of West Bengal, India and bounded
by district Jalpaiguri in the north, State of Assam in
the east and the international border in the form
of Indo-Bangladesh boundary in the south as well
as west. The area of the district is 3387 km2 and
contributes about 3.87% of the land mass of the State
of West Bengal. Cooch Behar district has large
numbers of lentic water bodies such as fish ponds
and beels namely Rasik Beel, Raichangmari Beel,
Bochamari Beel, Naldoba Beel and lotic water
bodies, such as the rivers, Torsa, Kaljani, Ghargharia,
Teesta, Jaldhaka,Raidak and Gadadhar which harbour
different types of fresh water fishes. Most of the
rivers of Cooch Behar district originate in the
Himalayas and enter Cooch Behar district from
North or North western direction, flowing towards
South or South east direction. Economy of this district
to a great extent is dependent on aquaculture and
fisheries.
Application of gears in fishery is a result of
experiences gained over a long period of time.
Every water body has its unique pattern of gears.
Since the pattern and regulation of fishing has a great
Chhat Deocharai, Jhaljhali, Shikdarer Khata, Bhurkush.)
*Corresponding author
bearing on the fish population dynamics, it is very
important to study the nature of gears commonly used
that may lead to selective fishing, thus minimizing
stress on a particular size group of fishes9. The fishing
methods used in the different parts of India have been
well described by various authors1-3,5-11.
Since, the district has diverse numbers of fishing
gears utilized by the fishermen but, detailed study of
fishing gears by a researcher in the past is lacking.
The present work, therefore, was focused on the
fabrication and mode of operation on the different
types of fishing gears employed by the fishermen in
beels, ponds and rivers in the district of Cooch Behar,
West Bengal.
Methodology
The study was carried out in Cooch Behar district
of West Bengal (25o57'47'' to 26o36'2'' North latitude
and between 89o54'35'' to 88o47'44''East longitude).
Information on different fishing gears operated in
lentic and lotic water bodies of Cooch Behar district
were collected by regular visits to 13 fishermens
villages(Ambari, Kaljani, Siddheswari, Ghugumari,
Rasikbil, Takoamari, Deocharai, Chengmari, Balaghat,
during the period of July 2011 to June 2012. About 24
620 INDIAN J TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE, VOL. 13, NO. 3, JULY 2014
trips have been made during the entire study period.
Altogether 54 fishermen, net makers and prominent
citizens were interviewed to collect information about
fishing gears. Prior information consent (PIC) was
taken from each individual who provided information
about fishing gears. Various types of participatory
research tools such as group discussion, semi-
structured interviews, key informer surveys and site
observations were done to gather knowledge about
fishing gears. During data collection, photographs of
the representative fishing gears were taken by a digital
camera and measurement of some physical characters
such as length, height, width, mesh size (in case of
nets) were taken by a meter scale.
Results
Summary of the different types of fishing gears
are shown in Table 1. Based on the usage of materials
and fabrication, the fishing gears may be classified
as (i) Net fishing gears(fishing gears which are
predominantly constructed of net, for example, Cast
net, Gill net, Lift net, Drag net, Cloth net, Push net,
Stationary lift net, Seine net) (ii) Tackles (fishing
gears in which hooks are an important part to
catch fish individually such as Hook and line) and
(iii) Miscellaneous gears(all other fishing gears
namely Spear fishing, Electro-fishing)4.
(i) Net fishing gears
Cast net (Chhabi Jal)
Cast net or Chhabi Jal (Fig. 1) is the main fishing
gear of Cooch Behar district. Cast net is a small
bell - shaped net with weights on the periphery and
having a string. The principle is to throw the net
in a circle for trapping the fishes of a water body.
Cast net is operated in rivers, beels and ponds
throughout the year. Fishes like Indian Major
Carp, Labeo bata, Hypophthalmichthys molitrix,
Ctenopharyngodon idella, Puntius spp., Mystus sp,
and others are caught.
Gill net (Phansi Jal)
Gill net locally called Phansi jal (Fig. 2) is
commonly used to catch fishes by gilling. Fishes
which try to pass through it get gilled. Mesh size of
the gill net varies from 0.6-7.5 cm for different sized
target fishes. It is wall netting, rectangular in shape
and is provided with a head rope of polypropylene
carrying floats and a foot rope with or without
sinkers. Gill nets are made up of polyamide
monofilament. Fishes like Mystus sp., Heteropneustes
fossilis, Clarias batrachus,Channa spp., Anabas sp,
Puntius spp, Mastacembelus sp., Wallago attu, Labeo
rohita and so on are caught. It is also a major
fishing gear operated in rivers and beels throughout
the year.
Lift net (Sitki Jal)
The Lift net or Sitki jal (Fig. 3) is a square net.
The four corners of which are tied to the tip of
two crossed flexible bamboos. A bamboo is attached
to the point of crossing and the whole arrangement
may or may not have a rope. Lift net is usually
operated in the monsoon months. The major catch
composition includes Puntius spp., Amblypharyngodon
mola and Barilius sp.
Drag net (Masari jal and Bed jal)
Drag net (Fig. 4) locally called as Masari jal and
Bed jal. This net, which is widely used, is structurally
rectangular in shape and has a head rope carrying
floats and a foot rope with or without sinkers. The net
is usually operated throughout the year. The mesh
size is less than 0.12cm. Most of the pond fishes
such as Indian Major Carp, Exotic Carp, Labeo bata,
Puntius spp., Mystus sp, Notopterus sp and air-
breathing fishes are caught by drag net.
Cloth net ( Tana Jal )
The cloth net is a fine meshed mosquito net.
It is locally called Tana jal. During fishing by
cloth net, two persons hold the net at opposite ends
and lift it from the water when sufficient number
of fishes are trapped. Cloth net is implemented
throughout the year except monsoon months in ponds
of Cooch Behar district. The fishes usually caught
by cloth net are Puntius spp., Amblypharyngodon
mola and Esomus denricus.
Push net (Thela Jal)
Push net or Thela jal is a very common net used
by local fishermen to catch fishes in the lentic
and lotic water bodies of Cooch Behar district. It is
made up of a triangular bamboo frame fitted with a
mosquito netting cloth (Fig. 5). Fishermen operate it
by pushing it in the water body and is used throughout
the year. Fishes like Trichogaster sp., spawn and
fry of Murrels, Puntius spp., Amblypharyngodon
mola and Esomus denricus are usually caught by the
Push net.
 DAS & BARAT: FISHING GEARS OF COOCH BEHAR DISTRICT, WEST BENGAL, INDIA 621

Table 1A summary of the fishing gears operated in the Rivers, Beels and Ponds of Cooch Behar district, West Bengal, India
I. Net Fishing Gears
Fishing Gears Local name Shape Length Height Mesh size Fishing period Number of
(M) (M) (CM) Fisherman required
Cast net Chhabi jal Bell shaped - 4.30-5.20 0.6-6.0 Throughout the year 1
Gill net Phansi jal Rectangular 20-60 0.65-3.5 0.6-7.5 Throughout the year 1
Lift net Sitki jal Square 2.0-3.0 - 0.5-1.0 Monsoon 1
Drag net Masari jal and Rectangular 50 6.0 0.10-0.15 Throughout the year 3-4
Bed jal
Cloth net Tana jal Rectangular - - 0.10-0.15 Throughout the year 2-3
except Monsoon
Push net Thela jal Triangular - - 0.10-0.15 Throughout the year 1
Stationary Khora jal Triangular 10-12 - 0.5-2.0 Throughout the year 1
lift net
Seine net Haath jal Rectangular 20 2.0 0.5-1.0 Monsoon 2
II. Tackles
Fishing gears Local name Shape Length Height Fishing period Number of fishermen
(M) (M) required
Hook and Line Barshi Rod shaped 2.0-3.0 - Throughout the year 1
Barsha Barsha - - - Monsoon 1
III. Miscellaneous Gears
Fishing gears Shape Length Height Fishing period Number of fishermen
(M) (M) required
Koncha /Teta Rod shaped 2.0-3.0 - Throughout the year 1
Shuli Rod shaped 1.5-2.0 - Throughout the year except monsoon 1
Zakoi Triangular - 0.9 Throughout the year except monsoon 1
Pala Ring shaped - 0.4 Throughout the year except monsoon 1
Jhoka Cylindrical - 0.6 Monsoon 1
Chalk Conical - 0.7 Throughout the year except monsoon 1
Tapai Rectangular 0.5-1.5 0.1-0.2 Monsoon 1
Burung Oval 0.7-1.5 0.1-0.2 Monsoon 1
Harrka Triangular - - Throughout the year except monsoon 1-2
Khatal - - - Throughout the year except monsoon 2-3
Bamboo piece Cylindrical 0.5-0.6 - Throughout the year except monsoon 1
Electro-fishing - - - Throughout the year except monsoon 1

Stationary Lift net (Khora Jal)
This is also a popular fishing gear operated in
different rivers of Cooch Behar district throughout
the year (Fig. 6). In Stationary Lift net or Khora jal,
some bamboo poles are fixed in the water body.
Two bamboos are then attached at one end and tied
up with ropes so that they are widely separated at
opposite ends. To these ends a triangular net is
attached. A fisherman can periodically submerge
and lift this net with the help of bamboo and capture
the fishes. Major catch compositions are Indian
Major Carp, Puntius spp., Barilius sp., Mystus sp and
Labeo bata.
Seine net (Haath Jal)
Seine net is a rectangular net similar to that of Drag
net having a head rope carrying floats and foot rope
without any sinkers. Seine net is locally called a Haath
jal. The mesh size of seine net is larger than Drag net
and is operated in the monsoon months. Mode of
operation of seine net is similar to that of Drag net.
Fishes like Indian and Exotic carps are usually caught.
622 INDIAN J TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE, VOL. 13, NO. 3, JULY 2014
(ii) Tackles
Hook and line (Barshi)
An iron hook is usually attached at the end of a
line (nylon cord). This line with attached hook is
then fixed to the end of a bamboo stick. Additional
arrangement includes a sinker to sink the hook in
water and a reel for casting the line. The hooks are
provided with baits like earthworm, nymph of beetle,
small frog. The hook and line fishing method is
operated throughout the year. A large number of
fishes such as Labeo rohita, Puntius spp., Mystus sp.,
Wallago attu and air-breathers are caught by this
method.
Barsha
A Barsha consists of a long line. It is set vertically
down into the water with baited hooks having
a weight at the bottom and a float at the top.
The Barsha with baited hooks is kept in the
water body in the evening and collected the next
morning. This fishing gear is generally observed
to be operated during monsoon months in beels and
ponds. Cat fishes and murrels are usually caught by
this fishing gear.
(iii) Miscellaneous gears
Spear fishing (Koncha/Teta and Shuli)
Koncha /Teta and Shuli are two types of indigenous
spears used in Cooch Behar district. Koncha or
Teta (Fig. 7) has a long handle made of split bamboo
shaft of about 2-3m fitted with many conical iron
rods or projecting bamboo sticks equipped with
hooks. It is thrown at the larger fishes by a fisherman
standing by the side of a water body or in a boat.
The spear (Koncha or Teta) is used to catch Labeo
rohita, Ctenopharyngodon idella, Catla catla,
Wallago attu, Channa spp. and Clarias batrachus.
On the other hand, Shuli (Fig. 8) is made of 1.5-2.0 m
long iron rod, the end of which is angular in shape.
It is repeatedly insert in and around the holes
of marginal embankments by the fishermen until a
vibration is felt on the handle indicating, the presence
of Monopterus cuchia in the holes and the fish is
caught by digging.
Electro-fishing
In Cooch Behar district, electro-fishing is a
common practice in some rivers. Here fishes are
caught by passing an electric current via electrodes
(anode and cathode) from a 12V portable battery
placed on a boat into the river water. The electric
current stuns the fishes and erratic movement
occurs by either jumping out of water or coming to
the water surface to be easily captured by hand or
scoop net. Electro-fishing is operated in the shallow
water areas of the river.
Khatal (Fish aggregating device)
In some areas of a rivers where water current is
low, a temporary fencing is prepared by bamboo,
Eichhornia, pistia, banana leaves and twigs. After a
few days, these areas are covered by mosquito nets
and the fishes are caught by cast net. This method
is applied throughout the year except monsoon.
Fishes like Indian Major Carp and Exotic Carp are
caught by this method.
Bamboo piece immersion
Small sized mature bamboo pieces having both
sides open and a node in the middle are submerged in
the ponds for a few days. The bamboo pieces are then
taken out of the ponds by covering the holes with
palm or fingers. The fishes entering the bamboo
pieces are caught. By this method of fishing catfishes
like Heteropneustes fossilis and Clarias batrachus are
generally harvested.
Harrka or Tapa
It is a triangular bamboo frame attached with a
sheet made up of bamboo. Harrka or Tapa with straw
or plant parts is submerged in water. After a couple of
days, these are taken out of the water body with
the help of a rope attached to the harrka or tapa
and the trapped fishes are caught. Major fish catch
compositions are fresh water loach, Lepidocephalicthys
guntea, Mastacembelus sp and Channa spp.
Zakoi
Zakoi is an indigenous fishing gear made by
local fishermen of the Cooch Behar district with
the help of bamboo. It has an upper and a lower side.
The upper side is made up of a triangular bamboo
frame, whereas, the lower side which is closed
below has a sieve made of bamboo attached to the
triangular frame. This structure thus results in a
central space being formed and opens through this
frame. The gear has a handle made up of bamboo
attached at one angle of the triangular bamboo frame
and a rope is tied at the base of the frame (Fig.9.).
Zakoi can be operated by a fisherman in rivers and
 DAS & BARAT: FISHING GEARS OF COOCH BEHAR DISTRICT, WEST BENGAL, INDIA
ponds of this district. Fishes like Puntius spp.,
Trichogaster sp., Amblypharyngodon mola, Channa
spp can be caught. Fishing by Zakoi is also employed
by women.
Pala
An indigenous fishing gear too, of the district,
has ring-like appearance with a wide opening at
the lower side and a narrow opening on the upper
side made up of bamboo sticks (Fig.10). In summer
and winter when the level of water decreases, Pala is
kept at the bottom of the water body trapping
some amount of water where fishes are expected.
The trapped fishes in the Pala are handpicked.
Small and medium sized fishes are caught by this
device in turbid and muddy water.
Jhoka
Jhoka, an indigenous fishing basket, is cylindrical
in shape made of bamboo sticks having two
openings (Fig.11). Mode of operation is similar
to that of Pala. Only difference with Pala is that
small fishes can be caught in it. Jhoka is operated
in the monsoon months of the year in different rivers
of this district.
Chalk
Another indigenous fishing gear of the district,
has a wide opening at the lower side surrounded
by a rounded bamboo frame attached to a net
(Fig. 12). The upper side is conically narrowed
with four bamboo sticks tied with a net. During
fishing operation, the upper portion of the net is
held in the hand whilst, the gear is kept thrusted
in the water. As soon as the fishes are located,
the upper portion of the net is dropped from the
hand to trap the fishes. Chalk is operated
throughout the year except monsoon months in
rivers and beels.
Tapai
Tapai is a rectangular fish trap made of bamboo
stick interwoven by nylon threads (Fig. 13). The trap
fishing works on the principle of allowing fishes
to enter the trap and then preventing their
escape from the trap6. The dimension of the Tapai
varies as per the need. However, the standard size
is 0.50 m-1.5m in length, 0.30 m-0.40 m width
and 0.10 m-0.2 m height. The gear having two
sides has 2-7 doors on each side. The entrance or
doors are of very specialized structure and works as
623
one- way valve. Due to this valve, fishes entering
the box cannot escape. The diameter of the door
is 0.25m wide so that fish of large size can be
caught. The trap is set at a water depth of 0.15m
keeping the water level just above the door with
the help of rope, mud and branches of trees. Fishes
moving along with water enter through the doors.
By this gear live fishes can be caught without any
physical injury. Tapai is very common in Cooch
Behar district as no guarding of the trap is required.
The trap is placed in a specific location and taken
out after some time or some days. Tapai is operated
in monsoon months of a year in rivers and beels.
The major catch composition are Mystus sp.,
Mastacembelus sp., Puntius spp., Channa spp.,
Lepidocephalicthys sp and prawns.
Burung
Burung is an oval shaped indigenous fishing trap
made of bamboo sticks interwoven by nylon threads
(Fig. 14). Working principle of Burung is similar to
that of Tapai. Unlike Tapai it has only one entrance
and is operated in monsoon months in rivers and
beels. Burung is used to catch small fishes like
Puntius spp, Channa spp, Amblypharyngodon mola
and so on.
Discussion
The study of different types of fishing gears
operated in rivers, beels and ponds of Cooch Behar
district revealed that traditional fishing gears are
still prevalent in this era of civilization. The
traditional as well as indigenous fishing gears
of the district are Pala, Chalk, Tapai, Burung, Zakoi,
Jhoka, Koncha or Teta and Shuli. Most of the
fishing gears are very simple and prepared by
the local people and fishermen with the help of
locally available materials such as bamboo, rope,
nylon and cotton fibres. The diversity of fishing
gears of the district indicated the creativity of the
fishermen.
Among the 22 fishing gears, 7 are operated at all
seasons, 9 are operated at all seasons except monsoon
months whilst, 6 fishing gears are operated only
during monsoon months of the year. Fishing gears
which are operated at all seasons of a year are
Cast net, Gill net, Drag net, Push net, Stationary lift
net, Hook and line and Koncha or Teta. Fishing
gears which are operated at all seasons except monsoon
months are Cloth net, Khatal, Bamboo piece, Harrka,
624 INDIAN J TRADITIONAL KNOWLEDGE, VOL. 13, NO. 3, JULY 2014

Fig. 1- Cast net, Fig. 2- Gill net, Fig. 3- Lift net, Fig. 4- Drag net, Fig. 5- Push net, Fig. 6- Stationary lift net, Fig. 7-Koncha or Teta,
Fig. 8- Shuli, Fig. 9- Zakoi, Fig.10-Pala, Fig. 11- Jhoka, Fig. 12- Chalk, Fig. 13-Tapai, Fig. 14-Burung.
 DAS & BARAT: FISHING GEARS OF COOCH BEHAR DISTRICT, WEST BENGAL, INDIA
Shuli, Zakoi, Pala, Chalk and Electro-fishing. On the
other hand, Lift net, Seine net, Barsha, Tapai ,Jhoka
and Burung are operated only during monsoon
months. Fishing gears of highest number are operated
at all seasons except monsoon whereas the lowest
numbers during monsoon periods of a year. From this
data it can be concluded, that three fishing periods are
throughout the year, throughout the year except
monsoon and only monsoon. Lowest level of fishing
gears being operated during monsoon is due to the
breeding season of the fishes.
Indiscriminate use of different fishing nets
specially Gill net, Push Net, Drag net, Stationary
lift net are responsible for rapid decline in fish
population in different beels, ponds and rivers of
Cooch Behar district. Most of the fishing nets
have very small mesh size which is detrimental to
the fishery resources of the district as also reported
in Hooghly-Matlah estuary in West Bengal7. As a
result, a large number of fishes of all sizes are
captured which ultimately deplete the fish diversity.
Among the different nets, Push net and Drag net
are the most dangerous which have mesh size less
than 0.15cm resulting in juvenile fishes being caught.
It was unfortunate to observe, that in some areas of
the district, fishermen harvested the spawn and fry of
murrels by Push net which has affected fish diversity.
Moreover, indiscriminate operation by Electro-fishing
in some rivers exploits the aquatic ecosystem by
killing most target and non target aquatic animals
as has also been reported in river Relli of
Darjeeling Himalaya, West Bengal1, streams of
Kumaon Himalayan region of India 9.
Eventhough various types of indigenous or
traditional fishing gears (Zakoi, Pala, Jhoka,
Chalk and so on) are operated by the fisher folks
of Cooch Behar district to harvest fish for self
sustenance, they are however mostly eco-friendly.
The catches are usually small having only specific
sized fishes. Therefore, the use of traditional fishing
gears may be recommended to fisher folks and
researchers as major fishing devices in lieu of the
more technically advanced fishing gears (namely Gill
net, Drag net and Electrofishing), where harvesting
is very great and indiscriminate with all sizes of fishes
being caught. The restriction on mesh size should
be strictly adhered, so that indiscriminate fishing is
prevented. Further, to minimize the biodiversity loss
of ichthyofauna, fishing during closed season should
be restricted or totally stopped.
625
Conclusion
With the enhancement of technology in the
fabrication of fishing gears, it is felt that the
indigenous fishing gears should be upgraded for
better efficiency of fish harvesting and also for
the durability of the gears. The mesh size should
be greater than a centimetre for conservation of
ichthyofauna diversity in both lentic and lotic
water bodies of Cooch Behar district. Finally, as
mentioned earlier, fishing during closed season
should be strictly prohibited and awareness
campaigns should be undertaken for maintaining
an eco-friendly environment.
Acknowledgement
Authors are grateful to Shri Narendra Nath Das, a
prominent senior citizen amongst the fishermen
community, village Ambari, Cooch Behar, West
Bengal, and other local fish farmers for providing
various information on the operation of different
fishing gears.
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