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Land Use Pattern and Socio-economic Condition of the Sundarbans Adjacent Coastal Areas of Bangladesh

Md. Firoz Ahmed*
Economics Discipline, Khulna University, Khulna, Bangladesh.

Anowara Khanam
Economics Discipline, Khulna University, Khulna, Bangladesh.

Dr. Mohammed Ziaul Haider
Economics Discipline, Khulna University, Khulna, Bangladesh.

Mohammad Sayadur Rahaman
Chemistry Discipline, Khulna University, Khulna, Bangladesh.

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

This study addresses the changes in land use pattern and corresponding socio-economic conditions of the people living in the Sundarbans adjacent coastal areas of the south-west Bangladesh. Shayamnagor of Satkhira, Dacope of Khulna, and Sarankhola of Bagerhat districts are considered as the representative areas of the three parts namely west, north and east Sundarbans on the basis of the geographical location. The land use maps of 1996 and 2004 are analyzed to observe the changes in land use pattern in the study area. The analysis finds changes in land use pattern in the study area over the time period. Salinity intrusion, unusual rainfall and other climate factors contribute to change land use pattern. The people in the coastal areas are linked with these climate factors for their livelihood. Illiteracy, income discrimination, health hazard, educational hazard, and employment status are the socio-economic indicators used in this study. There is a downtrend in the employment status form 1980’s to the current period. The employment rates were 70%, 56.8% and 44.5% in Dacope, Sarankhola and Shayamnagor respectively in 1986, which has decreased to 52.7%, 50.8% and 42.9% in 2003 respectively. Decrease in agricultural production, destruction of the Sundarbans and migration are the negative consequences of changes in land use pattern. The Focused Group Discussion (FGD) responders of the study area claim that they are now worst sufferer due to the proximity to the coastal areas and the changes in climate compelling them to diversify their land use and cropping pattern for maximizing their short run personal benefits.

Keywords: The Sundarbans, Salinity, Land use, Cropping pattern, Socio-economic conditions

Location: The Sundarbans Adjacent Coastal Areas of Bangladesh

Start Date:

End Date:

Program Area: Socio-economic and Policy

Commodity: Sundarban

Objectives:

Crop production declines due to changes in climatic factors, such as, salinity intrusion and unusual rainfall. People of the study area are now cultivating their land by matching with the changes in climatic factor and variation of seasonality. Few years ago the land was fallow in winter season but now they are cultivating aus and robi crop. The socio economic condition of the people in the study area is not good. The housing structure of Shayamnagor, Sarankhola, and Dacope are not good at all, most of the houses are kutcha. They also have problem of safe drinking water, very few people have access to electricity and a majority of the people use non-sanitary latrine.

Methodology:

Study area: This study covers three regions, namely Shayamnagor, Dacope, and Sarankhola, which are adjacent to the outside of reserved boundary of the Sundarbans. The Shayamnagor Upazila is situated in Satkhira district which is adjacent to west part of the Sundarbans. The Dacope Upazila is situated in Khulna district and it is adjacent to northern part of the Sundarbans. And the Sarankhola Upazila is adjacent to the eastern part of the Sundarbans which is situated in Bagerhat district. These three districts represent the south west region of Bangladesh.

Data Collection: This study has used both the secondary and primary data to address changes in land use and livelihood patterns adjacent to the Sundarbans coastal area. The land use maps produced by Soil Resource Development Institute (SRDI) are used as the secondary source in addition to published books, journals and annual reports. The study also uses the Focus Group Discussion (FGD) approach to collect primary data on the socio-economic conditions and the status of livelihood.

The FGDs cover three places, namely Sarankhola, Dacope and Shayamnagor, adjacent to eastern, northern and western parts of the Sundarbans, respectively. The FGDs tried to trace out various land use activities, changes in livelihood pattern and overall socio-economic conditions due to the changes of climate variables over the time. The places differ from each other due to their spatial variation. This study considers the land use activities of the three different regions adjacent to the Sundarbans, mainly on the basis of the published land use maps of SRDI in two different time periods (1996 and 2004). The changes in land use activities of the areas are traced out by the land use maps. The maps of 1996 and 2004 (2nd and 3 rd land use map of Bangladesh) show the variations of land use pattern in two time periods for the three regions.

Source of Information: Khulna University Studies Special Issue (SESB 2010): 57-72: June, 2010

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

The land use pattern of the study area is different from the other regions of Bangladesh for its geo-physical condition. The land use map shows that the land is now used for multi-crops instead of earlier single cropping pattern. The study findings show that there have been changed in the secondary crop. Some regions have introduced shrimp farming due to increased salinity in the river, due to the problem of water logging and also due to the motive of maximizing short run benefit of farmers. The most significant impact of salinity intrusion is the changes in land use activities. Salinity has encouraged or enforced the people to use their land for shrimp farming instead of rice cultivation. Study findings shows that the shrimp farming has increased in recent times. In addition, the frequent flood and cyclone of the coastal area are destroying the cropping land and the cropping pattern is changing over the time period. The inundation and intruding salinity are interrupting traditional practices in the Sundarbans. So, the traditional land use pattern in the coastal area is destroying. Permanent or temporary migration and increased dependency on the Sundarbans are the sequential impacts of changing land use pattern and conditions in climatic variables. Due to the dependency on the Sundarbans, the people of the study area are depleting a larger portion of the forest resources to earn their livelihood. The spread of income inequality, poor health condition, illiteracy, unemployment and shortage of pure drinking water are the common socio-economic features of this region.

Knowledge Management: Journal