Abstract:
The Sundarban mangrove forest is a biogenic coast. The impact of human induced
climate change is being observed there. The state of the Sundarban ecosystem is
changing and coupled with poverty, it makes the livelihood dependent on it more
vulnerable. Resilience analysis of livelihood groups offers elements of adaptive strategy
to the policy makers for mitigating the vulnerabilities.
The study was aimed to assess resilience of Sundarban dependent livelihood groups to
climate change induced salinity intrusion after developing an indicator framework
through participatory approach Shared learning dialogue and sustainable livelihood
assessment are the two key methods followed in this study, Each step of the study i.e.,
identifying livelihood groups, analysis of the impact of salinity intrusion on Sundarban
dependent livelihood, and development of indicator framework for assessing livelihood
resilience, was preliminarily conceptualized based on reviewing literatures, and was
refined through SLD later,
In this study a resilience framework consisting of 24 indicators has been developed to
assess the resilience of Sundarban dependent livelihood groups. The indicators were
selected from three dimensions; i) productivity, ii) sustainability and iii) risk that
describe both the dynamic and static attributes of livelihood resilience. The framework
was made operational by developingword scenarios for each indicator.
Finally the indicator framework was employed to assess livelihood resilience of the
Bawali. The livelihood resilience ofBawali has been found to be 47,8% which indicates
relatively low resilience to change in Sundarban mangrove due to climate change
induced salinity intrusion, Contribution of natural, [manciaI, physical, human and social
capital has been found to be 33,6%, 52,2%, 55,0%, 55.8%, and 48.4%, respectively,
while the weights of the capitals are 25, 23, 12, 19 and 19, respectively, So it is seen
that contribution of natural capital to resilience is lowest although the weight is highest,
which gives indication to prioritize natura! capital in fonnulating adaptation strategy for
adaptive governance of the Sundarban socioecological system This stndy gives a
directive of asset based adaptation strategy to climate change induced salinity intrusion
based on resilience analysis,
