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Impacts of Riverbank Erosion Hazards in the Brahmaputra Floodplain Areas of Mymensingh in Bangladesh

MA Islam
Department of Environmental Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh 2202, Bangladesh

S Parvin
Department of Environmental Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh 2202, Bangladesh

MA Farukh
Department of Environmental Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh 2202, Bangladesh

Abstract/ Executive Summary:

The study was conducted to investigate the impacts of Brahmaputra riverbank erosion hazard on livelihood pattern of char people, agriculture and environment. Five villages of Mymensingh district near to the Brahmaputra River were selected. A semi-structured questionnaire, interview, secondary data sources, field observation and focus group discussion were utilized for this study. Result revealed that erosion has a great impact on livelihood, agriculture, environment and other sectors. Population displacement is a common phenomenon in the study area due to riverbank erosion. During the river erosion 73% people took temporary and 27% took permanent migration where 26% had chosen town as permanent migration. About 56% people loss 0 to 5 acres and 33% loss 6 to 10 acres of their land. Before riverbank erosion 61% people were involved in farming but after riverbank erosion it decreased into 24%. About 88% respondents used tube well as the main source of drinking water, which was smaller than that of the national rural rate 96.42% and some people used river water as drinking, bathing, washing clothes and household materials, and that was so unhygienic. The major diseases like diarrhea, dysentery, asthma, TB, typhoid, etc. were prevalence during flood and river erosion as well as medical facility was also poor. Only 9% people used medicine from consultant doctor. The study has explored a negative fact that without any organizational support, the people of the villages have to formulate and undertake various adaptation techniques in their own way. Finally, the study has recommended some suggestions for the policy planners and implementers for the future development of the riverbank erosion victims in Bangladesh. It emphasizes the importance of the government and non-governmental organizations to take their own responsibility to the devastating situation of the riverbank erosion.

Keywords: Riverbank, Hazards, Livelihood, Brahmaputra floodplain, Vulnerability, Disaster.

Location: Gauripur and Iswargonj upazilla of Mymensingh district

Start Date: 10-03-2016

End Date: 10-09-2016

Program Area: Risk Management in Agriculture

Commodity: Land erosion

Objectives:

The objectives of the study to explore the status of riverbank erosion and to state the impacts of riverbank erosion on agriculture, environment and livelihood pattern of char area peoples.

Methodology:

Study area: Gauripur and Iswargonj upazilla of Mymensingh district along the river Brahmaputra are the most affected areas of recent decades, have been considered as the study area. Keeping in view the main objectives of the present study the five most affected villages namely Bhatipara, Bhangnamari, Gazariapara, and Kashiar Char under Bhangnamari union in Gauripur upazilla and Morichar Char under Uchakhila union in Iswargonj upazilla in Mymensingh were selected. Preparation of a questionnaire: Questionnaire was developed to record the information needed based on objectives of the study. Care was taken in wording to ensure that they are easily understood to ensure cooperation from the respondents. Primary data collection: The field observation study was carried out through by personal interview with local people for data collection during the period of 10^th March to 10^th September, 2016. Fifty (50) respondents were selected randomly from each village. All possible efforts were made to explain the purpose of the study to the respondents in order to get actual picture of the study sites. After each interview, the filled schedules were checked with regard to every item so that these were correct and properly recorded. Secondary data collection: Secondary data were collected from different sources according to requirement of the study. Different kinds of data like the total area of the study sites, population of the area, cultivable land of the site, past data on flooding and the river erosion etc. were collected from the union parishad Office, BWDB (Bangladesh Water Development Board) etc. The data related to the settlement pattern of the respondents, land use patterns, population, land area were collected from BBS, BWDB, Settlement Office, union parishad office etc. Besides, supporting data and related materials were collected from different sources, like internet, previous research and survey reports. The data collected for this study underwent appropriate statistical and cartographic treatments for further analysis and synthesis. Focus group discussion: Focus group discussion was conducted on the local peoples, village leaders (Gram sarkar), school teachers, etc. to discuss issues and concerns based on a list of key themes. Processing and analysis of data: After completion of the field survey all the interview schedules were set for its data tabulation for coding and recording. All data collected from the primary and secondary sources which were analyzed by using Microsoft Office word 2010 and Microsoft Office Excel 2010. Finally the analyzed data have been integrated and presented accordingly.

Source of Information: Progressive Agriculture 28 (2): 73-83, 2017

Article Link (Online Journal):

Funding Source:

Budget:

Total Budget (Tk.) :

Achievement/Findings:

It is evident from the present study that erosion has a great impact on livelihood, agriculture, environment and other sectors. The major diseases like diarrhea, dysentery, asthma, TB, typhoid, etc. were prevalence during flood and river erosion and medical facility was also very poor. The effects of river erosion are long term and it takes a few decades to make up the losses, which a family has incurred by river erosion. This study confirms that although riverbank erosion in Bangladesh always generates socioeconomic and health related hazards and environmental and infrastructural damages, people’s indigenous coping strategies can significantly reduce their vulnerability to disaster. The people of our country are very much optimistic. Despite losing everything by river erosion they start their lives newly every time. It emphasizes the importance of the government and non-governmental organizations to take their own responsibility to the devastating situation of the riverbank erosion.

Knowledge Management: Journal