Assessment of provisional ecosystem services in Vypin Island, Cochin Backwater and payment for coastal ecosystem service

Abhilash, K S

Ambrose, T V

Kripa, V

Mohammed, Abbas A

Vishnu, P G

CMFRI Digital Repository

MCEP - 26 Muhammed, Ambrose T.V and Kripa U dl h"ihim - niIl DlMHkmb Eendal Marine Fisheries Research In maintenance of ecological functions for ecosystem services in order to support human well being. Strict measures, proper management and awareness of plastic pollution is the necessity for the sustainability of Cochin (Kochi) is considered as the land of spices and "Queen of the Arabian Sea," it is endowed with unique tropical ecosystem with large backwaters, natural harbor, and is a favourite tourist destination. The Cochin Backwater System is the second largest estuarine system in India, is a semi-enclosed water body (-256 km2 area) extending from Azheekode to Alappuzha. In recent years, this ecosystem has come under immense anthropogenic pressure due to increased urbanization, pollution and land reclamations. Fishery being the major source of income alongside shrimp culture among the social community living along the backwaters. This study is an initial approach to assess the ecosystem and the services harnessed by the various social communities depending onthe coastal waters of Vypin Island, Cochin. Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute, Kochi forthe conduct of this research work. We also The Cochin backwaters including Vembanad Lake, occupy an area of about 256 square kilometers. The area is about 96 km long and 3-4 km wide on an average. It extends from about 9"301to 1 0°20' lat N and 76"13'to 7650'  long E. (6 The study area is Vypin island of Ernakulam district in Kerala, was carriedout in all four panchayaths using random sampling mefhod. .@ The questionnaire was distributed among the resident (fishermen) of different panchayths and also were interviewed to @ Marital Status (Nos) 'Inde know their opinion on the ecosystem sustainability. $ The questions were grouped into sixsections: Resource Use Pattern Food Security and Health Perceptions on Payment for Ecosystem Services Changes in Fishing Area in Vypln =- Water Quality change $ The major group of respondents had only primary education (60%) followed by23% of secondary educated (SSLC), 12% - of higher secondary (1 2thclass) and the least5% were graduates (Fig.3). 4 It was analyzed that 41 % of the respondents were experienced (20-25 yrs) in fishing (Fig.4). The annual income from each house of the respondent is approximately Rs. 1.5 lakhs per annum. 83% of fishermen are . Habrtst dezmkon fishing gwr and boat upkew h8tw increased,, resulting in a decrease in thejr net income. dQ n past ten years there has been a dradc change on the availaWHy offin fishes hthe baclwvata Thrr 52% of respondents opinionated the drastic decline of fish catch to change in water quality, 25% attr[buted it to water body shrinkage and 23% to species decline (Fig.5) -- * The reason for the change in water qualily were ranked highest (52%) due to pollution followed by overfishing and over $ The respondents were not aware of payment for ecosystem services. $ After understanding about paymentfor ecosystem services, 1 0% of respondents were not ready to pay for the purpose. 9 31 % of the respondents were ready to pay 14% of their annual income to reduce marine pollution and increase fish resources (Fig.8 and 91. & The fundamental characteristic of rural coastal villages is the utilization of resources from their ecosystems (Hanazaki and Begossi, 2003), and Vypin Island is coastal village for which this statement holds true. @ When analyzing ecosystem services for Vypin Island, the study had allowed for a closer examination of villagers' dependence on their ecosystems. I$s Dependence level has been measured by studying the number of households that use the ecosystems for essentials (provisioning services) which benefit their well-being. I a Pollution of the backwater system has affected the livelihood of the common fishermen community by interfering in the availability of fish resources. I CMFRI bservation: 1 vembanad Lake, = Reduce In Marine Pollution 

Assessment of provisional ecosystem services in Vypin Island, Cochin Backwater and payment for coastal ecosystem services

http://eprints.cmfri.org.in/12874/1/Kripa%20V_2014_Assessment%20of%20provisional%20ecosystem%20services%20in%20Vypin%20island%2C%20Cochin%20backwater%20and%20payment%20for%20coastal%20ecosystem%20services__Poster_MECOS.pdf

Assessment of provisional ecosystem services in Vypin Island, Cochin Backwater and payment for coastal ecosystem services

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