This research conducted an empirical study in January 2000, to investigate the effects of river erosion on the lives and activities of people. Affected people from the charland and from the eroded riverbanks were selected for the study. They include a wide spectrum of people from beggar to charland matbar. Sixty households (2% of the total affected households) were surveyed through a questionnaire, and interviews were taken of twenty persons. Sirajganj district was chosen as the case study area for this research. It is one of the most severely eroded districts of Bangladesh, and has been encroached by the river Jamuna.
Profile of the Study Area The study areas for the research are the union of Khoksabari and Kaoakola of Sirajganj Thana, located at the northeast part of Sirajganj District. Among them, Khoksabari Union has a population of 2,6042 in an area of 4,838 acres and is located in the main land, on the west bank of the Jamuna. Kaoakola Union comprises of different charland settlements, and most of them are located in the midst of the Jamuna. It has a population of 8164 persons, and an area of 8,690 acres. Dispersed type of settlements with very low density is observed in this union. The mighty Jamuna separates the union from the Thana headquarters. Among these two unions, Kaoakola experienced recurrent flood and massive river erosion each and every year. The study area lies between 24 27'- 24 31' North latitude and 89 38' -89 43' East Longitude.
Responses of People in the Flood and Erosion Prone Areas People living in the charlands are subject to the whims of the river, and perhaps epitomize the precarious man-environment interaction. Their survival in the hazard prone areas largely depends on how they put to use their experiences, and these are likely to differ according to the perception, and economic ability of the persons in question. The people in the charlands understand the climate of Bangladesh very well. They also have keen powers of observation and can predict the nature of the floods that might occur during a year. For example, if the monsoon rain is abundant and the water flow is relatively clean and has a current, they become alert of the onslaught of flood. However, not all their observations have any credible basis, and sometimes they prove to be incorrect. Response of the people to flood and erosion indicates planned attempts at reducing or minimizing their devastating impact. The responses vary according to the intensity of the floods. Different measures are usually taken during the monsoon. The responses in general can be divided into three major areas of activities.
Perceptions of People in the Flood and Erosion Prone Areas Material and life losses are endemic in the frequently devastated flood plains and riverbank erosion-prone areas. Whereas excess flooding routinely destroys crops and damages property, more devastating effect takes place from the loss of land due to river encroachment, since it washes away the permanent settlements deep into the river with simultaneous loss of the main sources of living – the cultivable land. Population displacement due to riverbank erosion is also widespread in parts of the country. Although some households do move to safer areas and build safer settlements, many merely relocate within the same area that has either been already affected or bears known vulnerable characteristics. Despite their general vulnerability, the erosion prone regions are also known to contain areas that are comparatively safe for settlement building.
Perceptions of People in the Flood and Erosion Prone Areas Material and life losses are endemic in the frequently devastated flood plains and riverbank erosion-prone areas. Whereas excess flooding routinely destroys crops and damages property, more devastating effect takes place from the loss of land due to river encroachment, since it washes away the permanent settlements deep into the river with simultaneous loss of the main sources of living – the cultivable land. Population displacement due to riverbank erosion is also widespread in parts of the country. Although some households do move to safer areas and build safer settlements, many merely relocate within the same area that has either been already affected or bears known vulnerable characteristics. Despite their general vulnerability, the erosion prone regions are also known to contain areas that are comparatively safe for settlement building.