The traditional fishing community of Mumbai, known as the Kolis, faced a double whammy in the past 17 months, with the pandemic coupled with extreme climate events impacting the livelihood of this community. There are around 500,000 Kolis living in the fishing villages along the Mumbai coast. Government statistics show that 76,345 households in the state are directly dependent on fishing, while almost a million people indirectly benefit from it. The government has contended that a relief package of INR 650 million (provided by the state exchequer) would benefit 54,573 households. While there are steps taken to financially compensate the fishermen for any weather event-based losses, there is a need to bring in a more comprehensive approach to tackle the problems of this indigenous community and its needs.
COVID-19 and the climate impact on the Koli fishing community of Mumbai | ORF (orfonline.org)
