Fisherfolk of the floating homes: explorative case study of nomadic riverine fisher community in the Godavari Estuary

Jartha, Bhanu Sandeep and Gills, Reshma and Ramachandran, C and Vipinkumar, V P (2025) Fisherfolk of the floating homes: explorative case study of nomadic riverine fisher community in the Godavari Estuary. Local Environment: The International Journal of Justice and Sustainability. pp. 1-24. ISSN 1469-6711

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Abstract

The Shoe Dhoni fisherfolk community exemplifies a distinctive and resilient livelihood system centered around indigenous, shoe-shaped fishing crafts known as “Shoe Dhoni,” which serve as both mobile homes and tools for traditional fishing practices, such as shell collection. This research employs a case study approach with an ex post facto design, followed by a enumeration method, using mixed methods to investigate the socio-economic dynamics, historical evolution, and current challenges of the Shoe Dhoni fisherfolk in the Godavari Estuary, Andhra Pradesh, India. The study revealed that currently, 63 families maintain this heritage, living on 63 boats and facing mounting challenges from environmental changes, modernisation, and diminishing fishery resources that threaten their economic stability and way of life. Their unique adaptation to aquatic life, primarily reliant on bivalve and gastropod fishing, offers insights into the community’s resilience, socio-economic struggles, and strategies for sustaining their traditional livelihoods amidst changing conditions. The study results indicate that policy directions must focus on ensuring the cultural preservation and socio-economic resilience of heritage communities, such as the Shoe Dhoni fisherfolk in the Godavari Estuary, through integrated interventions that prioritise ecological conservation, livelihood diversification, gender inclusion, and the documentation and promotion of traditional knowledge.

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