Mouza/Dheu/Rolling: A sea wave or river wave is locally called a “mouza”, “dheu”, or “rolling”. It sounds similar to “mouza”, which refers to a revenue village or a unit of administrative land. In coastal Bengal, along the Bay of Bengal, and among the marine fishers of the Sundarbans, it is also known as “somudrer dheu” or “nodir dheu”. The local community often uses the terms “mouza”, “dheu” and “rolling” interchangeably. Usually, when the “mouza” or “rolling” contacts objects like traditional boats, fishing trawlers, or the shoreline, it turns into frothy white bubbles, a uniqueness of the “mouza” or “rolling” shared by the coastal fishers of the Indian Sundarbans. Coastal communities are well aware of the detrimental effects of “mouza” or “rolling”, which badly affect their daily lives. This phenomenon negatively impacts their infrastructure and settlements in coastal or riverine areas, causing the capsizing of fishing vessels and trawlers, especially near shoal regions. Cyclonic activity has increased the frequency of “mouza”, which has persistently battered the coastlines. Some islands in the Indian Sundarbans, like Ghoramara Island, Mousuni Island, and Gobardhanpur village, have suffered severe consequences due to strong “mouzas”. The structural integrity of wooden fishing vessels is highly vulnerable to constant “mouza” or “rolling”. This often leads to wooden parts, called “takta”, detaching from the hull and creating major breaches. These breaches increase the risk of capsizing and pose a threat to the safety of the fishers. Shoals intensify the “mouza” effect, making it more destructive. Consequently, fishers face greater risks of death in both deep-sea and estuarine areas within the Bay of Bengal, underscoring the deadly dangers posed by “mouza” and the fragile nature of their livelihoods. This ongoing issue makes the lives of the marine fishers more uncertain and hazardous.
Mouza