Study of adaptation measures practiced in coastal areas of Bangladesh in response to sea level rise

Abstract

Climate change is undeniable and unequivocal. Bangladesh, a low-lying coastal area in the middle of the heavily populated mega-delta of the Ganges-Brahmaputra plain, is widely recognised as one of the most vulnerable countries to climate change. One critical variable that determines the vulnerability of Bangladesh to climate change impacts is the magnitude of sea level rise. Increasing rates of sea level rise caused by global warming are expected to lead to permanent inundation, drainage congestion, salinity intrusion and frequent storm surge inundation. Climate change induced sea level rise is a huge threat to all aspects of human development and achievement of the Millennium Development Goals for poverty reduction. Bangladesh is one of the most densely populated countries of the world where 28% of the population living in the coastal area. In order to safeguard the coastal area and the whole country against such a disaster, it is imperative to know the disaster, its impending dangers beforehand and effective adaptation measures in response to sea level rise impact. Various adaptation strategy and policy actions have already been suggested and presently in practice to reduce the adverse impacts of Sea Level Rise (SLR). All of the districts located in the coastal region are more or less vulnerable to the sea level rise. Among them, Kalapara upazila of Potuakhali district is the most vulnerable to the sea level rise issue. Geographically Kalapara upazila is vulnerable to natural hazards as this upazila is located just beside Bay of Bengal. Climate change scenario makes the situation more critical. Kalapara upazila is in the low land region. This upazila is surrounded by the river Andharmanik, Nilganj and Dhankhali. Two villages named Pasurbunia, Charipara of Lalua Union and two villages named Khajura, Goraamkhola para of Latachapli Union of Kalapara Upazila have been selected as the study area having households 104, 318, 530, 107 accordingly. Different study shows that these are the most affected areas due to sea level rise. Different GO’s and NGO’s are working in the selected study villages to reduce sea level rise impacts. All these GO’s & NGO’s have already implemented and are presently implementing different adaptation development projects of different time frame. This study attempts to discuss the socio economic implications of sea level rise in Kalapara Upazila of Potuakhali district of Bangladesh. This study also identifies some existing adaptation measures in the four study areas and the effectiveness of these options in response to sea level rise impact. Objectives of this research have been achieved mainly through Participatory Vulnerability Assessment (PVA) method and household questionnaire survey. The sample for questionnaire survey was taken at 95% confidence interval and 5% margin of error. Therefore, 200 sample households were selected proportionately from these four study areas. The major findings of the research revealed that agricultural livelihood, fish sector, housing, food security, water and sanitation, health care facilities are some vulnerable areas to sea level rise impacts. People practice indigenous adaptation to survive in sea level rise condition, though there is some institutional effort in strengthening adaptation mechanism in the study area. Migration and change of occupation, unfortunately, is a new phenomenon in these study villages due to sea level rise induced livelihood loss. The research identified some effective adaptation programs of government organizations and NGOs in context of sea level rise such as embankment repair and construction project, dredging of the Andharmanik River from Khepupara to Kuakata, Water and Sanitation project, Agricultural Assistance, Homestead gardening and livestock supply, Reducing disaster and livelihood risk project etc. Constraints towards reducing people’s vulnerability to sea level rise impacts and successful implementation of adaptation projects in the study areas have been identified as uncertain climatic events, poor co-ordination between stakeholders, limited institutional adaptation etc. The institutional set-up around climate change adaptation is complex and confusing. Local politicians and local institutions are hampered by very little capacity for coordinated action and very low trust from the people they are intended to serve. Formulation of adaptation policies and an action plan for effective implementation is urgently needed to face the crucial challenges to habitation, food, employment security faced by the people that threaten to slow down socio-economic development of the country. Much debate on government institutions focuses on national and international levels, missing the point that adaptation is an inherently local process. Successful adaptation depends on the actions and capacities of local government institutions because local government plays a central role in mediating access to scarce resources, providing basic services and ensuring appropriate protection from natural disasters. The global community and multi-lateral and bi-lateral development agencies must come forward to support Bangladesh in formulating and implementing appropriate adaptation policies to meet this huge environmental threat to a resource-poor country.