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Coping Techniques of Local People to Flood and River Erosion in Char Areas of Bangladesh

M. S. Islam
Department of Environmental Science and Resource Management, Mawlana Bhashani Science and Technology University, Tangail-1902, Bangladesh

T. R. Tusher
Department of Environmental Science and Resource Management, Mawlana Bhashani Science and Technology University, Tangail-1902, Bangladesh

M. H. Rahaman
Department of Environmental Science and Resource Management, Mawlana Bhashani Science and Technology University, Tangail-1902, Bangladesh

M. S. I. R. Chowdhury
Department of Environmental Science and Resource Management, Mawlana Bhashani Science and Technology University, Tangail-1902, Bangladesh

T. Hasan
Department of Environmental Science and Resource Management, Mawlana Bhashani Science and Technology University, Tangail-1902, Bangladesh

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

This study is designed to explore the local people survival strategies and assesses variation in people’s ability to cope with flood and riverbank erosion of two char land (Mid-channel Island) villages of Bangladesh. The data were collected by the application of social survey, key informant interview, focus group discussions and field observation. Most of the people of the char land villages were affected by both flood and river erosion. The result of the study showed that devastating river erosion occurred in Shushua char as compared with Degreer char in 2010 and people tried to adapt with adverse situation by their own techniques. People of both the chars were experienced flooding more than two months in the same year. Household’s ability to adapt with flood and river erosion depends on people’s socioeconomic and environmental conditions, such as education, income and occupation. Though, flood and river erosion cause the loss of lives and properties, people’s indigenous coping techniques could significantly reduced their vulnerability without outside assistance. Effective early warning system, integrate local coping practice with modern technology and improve socioeconomic condition in a sustainable way are necessary to reduce the losses from flood and riverbank erosion.

Keywords: Bangladesh, Char land, Coping techniques, Flood, River erosion

Location: Two char land villages of Degreer char and Shushua char of Gobindashi and Arjuna union in Bhuapur upazila, Tangail district, Bangladesh.

Start Date: 00-09-2010

End Date: 00-02-2011

Program Area: Conservation and Biodiversity

Non-commodity: Impact

Objectives:

1. This study explores different preventive and mitigative or corrective measures taken by the people of two char land villages of Bangladesh to cope with the flood and riverbank erosion. In addition, it evaluates how different enabling attributes, such as education, income and occupation, affect the overall flood-coping strategy.

Methodology:

Study area - The study was conducted in two char land villages of Degreer char and Shushua char of Gobindashi and Arjuna union in Bhuapur upazila, Tangail district, Bangladesh. Both villages are located north-western part of the Bhuapur upazila at a distance of 7.5 and 13 Km and are situated in the womb of the Jamuna River. In both villages, the majority of the households are either directly or indirectly dependent on agriculture for their livelihoods. Data collection and analyses - Primary data related to flood and riverbank erosion were collected separately through key informant interviews, field observation, household questionnaire surveys (open and close ended), unstructured interviews, as well as via focus group discussion with household members from two study villages. Key informants were selected purposively while simple random sampling was used to identify households. A total of 100 households were selected from each study villages for data collection. Secondary data were collected from the Union Parishad office, Upazila Land Office, BWDB (Bangladesh Water Development Board). Data were collected from September, 2010 to February 2011 and analyzed by using SPSS V.12 and Microsoft Excel.

Source of Information: J. Environ. Sci. & Natural Resources, 5(2): 251 - 261, 2012; ISSN 1999-7361

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

Floods and Riverbank erosion in the deltaic valley is no small problems. This study finds that flooding and erosion have disastrous impacts on people’s socioeconomic condition as well as on the environment The present study relates to two char villages in the middle of the country of Bangladesh, both adapting to flooding and erosion by means of a wide range of practices. In the study areas it is seen that the most of the houses is built on CI sheet, bamboo and thatch. People adopted multiple techniques in accepting loss, reducing loss, and in shifting their lives and properties due to flood and riverbank erosion. Finally, this study confirms that although flooding and river erosion in Bangladesh always generates socioeconomic and health related hazards and environmental and infrastructural damage, people’s indigenous coping techniques can significantly reduce their vulnerability to disaster.

Knowledge Management: Journal