Ecology, Technology and Economy: Continuity and Change Among the Fisherfolk of Kerala

Book Details

• Author: P. R. G. Mathur

• Publisher: Rawat Publications

• Language: English

• Edition: 2008

• ISBN: 8131601978

• Pages: 478

• Cover: Hardcover

• Dimensions: 8.7 x 5.8 x 1.3 inches

About the Book

Ecology, Technology and Economy: Continuity and Change among the Fisherfolk of Kerala by P. R. G. Mathur is a pioneering study that explores the ecology, economy, and technological adaptation of Kerala’s Mappila, Hindu, and Latin Christian fishing communities. Focusing on the intersection of tradition and modern technology, this book examines how different fisherfolk have responded to innovations in fishing practices, leading to varying levels of prosperity.

The book highlights:

• Impact of monsoon trawling restrictions on marine life restoration

• Differences in technological adaptation among Hindu, Mappila, and Latin Christian fishermen

• Evaluation of traditional ecological knowledge of winds, currents, and fish availability

• Challenges of balancing traditional livelihoods with modern innovations

Following an anthropological approach, the study sheds light on the struggles of traditional fishermen caught between the hazards of their occupation and the lure of modern technology, raising the crucial question: Should they abandon their age‑old profession?

About the Author:
P. R. G. Mathur, a distinguished anthropologist, is internationally recognized for his extensive research on the indigenous communities of India, especially those of Kerala. He served as the Director of KIRTADS (Kerala Institute for Research, Training and Development Studies) and later as Secretary and Professor at Ananthakrishna International Centre for Anthropological Studies (AICAS). With over 50 published articles and numerous monographs, he has made significant contributions to Indian anthropology and ethnology.