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Traditional Fishing Gear of Bundelkhand: An Inside Look at an Ingenious Craft
Last Updated: September 9, 2025
The Science Behind the Net: Uncovering Bundelkhand’s Traditional Fishing Gear
Have you ever considered the incredible science and local knowledge embedded in a simple fishing net? Far from being just a mesh, traditional fishing gear is a masterclass in engineering, perfectly adapted to a specific environment and target species. A 1982 thesis, “Ecological Studies on the Freshwater Fishes of Bundelkhand Region,” provides a detailed and fascinating look at the very tools used to harvest the region’s aquatic bounty. The study emphasizes that “a complete knowledge of gear specification, constructional details and modus operandi is necessary to determine the species and size selectivity of fish catches” (p. 35). This post explores the design, operation, and surprising efficiency of the traditional fishing gear of Bundelkhand, from colossal drag nets to clever traps.
A Classification of Local Fishing Gear
The thesis classifies the fishing gears of the region into several distinct categories, each with local variations. The main types include Drag Nets, Gill Nets, Cast Nets, Scoop Nets, Hook and Line, and Traps (p. 36). While many are “constructed on the same basic plan… regional variations are noticeable” (p. 8), which are designed to increase suitability and yield.
Drag Nets: The Workhorses of the Fishery
Drag nets are among the most common and are broadly divided into those with and without pockets.
Drag Nets Without Pockets
These nets are prevalent and can be used throughout the year.
- Chanta Jal: Also known as Mahajal, this is a massive rectangular net made of hemp (p. 41). It is “composed of 50 to 55 pieces,” with each piece being “7-14 metres long and 3-8 metres wide” (p. 41). The operation is a group effort, requiring “12 to 16 men” (p. 40). One end is held on shore while a boat pays out the rest in a semicircle, enclosing a large body of water before being hauled in (p. 40). This net is specifically for “capturing large sized Catla catla, Labeo rohita, Silonia silondia, Mystus seenghala and Notopterus notopterus and Notopterus chitala” (p. 40).
- Jeera Jal: This net is “rectangular in shape and is smaller to Chanta jal” but is made of synthetic twine (p. 40). Its mesh size is much smaller, from 0.5 to 1.2 cm, making it the “main net used for capturing the fishes in every waterbody” (p. 41), especially for smaller species like “Mystus, Gaduscia chapra, Setipinna phasa, Chela species, Aspidoparia morar, Danio species, and Xenentodon cancilla” (p. 41).
The Unique and Highly Efficient Chipni Net
The thesis highlights one particularly interesting piece of local fishing gear of Bundelkhand. The “Chipni net is an unique but popular net and is used only in Bundelkhand area” (p. 41).
- Construction: It’s a rectangular net made of cotton twine with a standard mesh of 3.0 cm, except at the bottom where it is 6.0 cm (p. 41). Its most unique feature is its sinkers. Instead of lead or iron, “at lower end three to five, freshwater mussels shell, locally known as chip (from which probably the net derives its name) were inserted against every mesh” (p. 41).
- Operation: The principle involves scaring fish. The net is operated from a raft and used to drive fish towards a corner of a pond or river. The “glistening of the inner surface of the shells and jingling noise produced by them scares the fish away from the net and the fishes come out of their stone hidings” (p. 44). Once cornered, the fish are captured with cast nets.
- Remarkable Efficiency: The study conducted a comparative analysis that demonstrated the Chipni net’s superior performance. At Pahuj Dam, the catch per day per fisherman with the Chipni net was 26.0 kg, compared to just 6.2 kg with a Fasla Jal (gill net) and 5.3 kg with a Mahajal (drag net) (p. 45).
Gill Nets: For Deep Waters and Strong Currents
Gill nets are used in the deep waters of rivers to catch fish by their gills. The study describes two main types of this Indian fishing net.
- Chota Fasla (Gill Net without Foot Rope): This net is made of hemp or synthetic twine and measures about 39.20 meters long (p. 48). It is operated by two men in a small boat who pay it out at a sufficient depth. After setting the net, they beat the water with bamboo sticks to scare fish toward it (p. 48). It’s primarily used to capture medium-sized “Mystus aor, Mystus seenghala, Pangasius pangasius, Silonia, silondia, Notopterus notopterus and large sized major carps” (p. 48).
- Bada Fasla (Gill Net with Foot Rope): This net is larger, measuring 41.4 meters, and has a wider mesh of 26 cm (p. 48). It is specifically used “where the current is very fast” and is operated from February to July to catch large species like “Bagarius bagarius, Silonia silondia, Pangasius pangasius, Labeo rohita, Catla catla, Mystus aor, Mystus seenghala” (p. 50).
Other Important Fishing Implements
Several other types of gear are essential for the region’s fishery.
- Cast Net (Ghumaua or Chawrsa): This is a circular net with a mesh size of 2.5 cm and pockets around the periphery made heavy with iron sinkers (p. 50). It is a versatile tool used in shallow water throughout the year for catching smaller fish like “Puntius stigma, Chela Species, Rohtee catio, Mystus cavasius, Rita rita and fingerlings of major carps and cat fishes” (p. 50).
- Traps (Kuriar): The Kuriar trap consists of a conical net attached to an iron ring with six bamboo sticks forming a frame (p. 54). It is operated in shallow water from November to July. When a fish is sighted, the fisherman drops the trap over it, entangling it in the meshes (p. 54). This trap is effective for catching large species like “Cirrhinus mrigala, Catla catla, Labeo rohita, Bagarius bagarius, Pangasius pangasius, besides Mystus aor and Mystus seenghala” (p. 54).
Conclusion
The diverse array of fishing gear of Bundelkhand chronicled in this 1982 study showcases a deep, practical understanding of ecology and fish behavior. From the brute force of the Chanta Jal to the clever ingenuity of the shell-laden Chipni Net, each tool was perfectly evolved for its purpose. This research not only preserves a record of these traditional fishing methods but also highlights the scientific principles that have successfully sustained local fisheries for generations.
About the Researcher
Birandre Kumar Arora conducted this research as part of his doctoral thesis at the Department of Zoology, D. S. College, Aligarh, under the supervision of Dr. Jogendera K. Sahgal. His work was submitted to The Agra University, Agra, for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Zoology.
Source & Citations
- Thesis Title: Ecological Studies on the Freshwater Fishes of Bundelkhand Region
- Researcher: Birandre Kumar Arora
- Guide (Supervisor): Dr. Jogendera K. Sahgal
- University: The Agra University, Agra
- Year of Compilation: 1982
- Excerpt Page Numbers: 8, 35, 36, 40, 41, 44, 45, 48, 50, 54.
Disclaimer: Some sentences have been lightly edited for SEO and readability. For the full, original research, please refer to the complete thesis PDF linked in the section above.
Do you know of other unique or traditional fishing methods from your region? Share them in the comments below!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the most unique piece of fishing gear from the Bundelkhand region?
The Chipni net is described as “unique but popular” and used only in this area. Its distinctive feature is the use of freshwater mussel shells (“chip”) as sinkers, which create noise to scare fish into a trap (p. 41, 44).
2. How effective was the Chipni net compared to other nets?
It was remarkably effective. A comparative study showed the catch per fisherman per day was 26.0 kg with the Chipni net, versus only 6.2 kg for a gill net and 5.3 kg for a large drag net (Mahajal) in the same location (p. 45).
3. What is a “Chanta Jal”?
Chanta Jal, also called Mahajal, is a very large drag net made of 50-55 pieces of hemp netting. It requires 12-16 people to operate and is used to capture large-sized major carps and other big fish (p. 40, 41).
4. What is the difference between a “Chota Fasla” and a “Bada Fasla”?
Both are gill nets. The Chota Fasla is smaller and lacks a foot rope, used in relatively calm, deep water (p. 48). The Bada Fasla is larger, has a wider mesh, and includes a foot rope, making it suitable for use in very fast currents to catch the biggest fish (p. 48, 50).
5. What kind of fish are caught with a cast net in Bundelkhand?
Cast nets, or Ghumaua, are used in shallow water to catch mostly small-sized fish like Puntius stigma, Chela species, Rita rita, and the fingerlings (juveniles) of major carps and catfishes (p. 50).
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