Large-scale activities like sand and iron-ore mining, coal transport, riverbank constructions etc. negatively impact the natural abundance of fish in the waterbodies. Fish being the main prey of the smooth-coated otter; the survival challenge only increases as time goes by.
A Grass-root Level Perspective
I have been studying the smooth-coated otter in human modified landscape for over six years. Across the years I have made several notes on its behavior, adaptation, family dynamics, interaction with humans, interaction with stray dogs, interaction with other wild animals, habitat selection and habitat use.
A fishermen whose livelihood is also dependent on fish abundance works extremely hard to maintain the availability of fish stock in leased out or privately owned fishing pools. The government cares for their needs more often than not. With natural resources being shared between humans and animals; otters are often observed feeding from the leased out fishing pools and at times feeding from the fishing nets.