Effect of sea level rise induced permanent inundation on the livelihood of polder enclosed beel communities in Bangladesh: people's perception

Abstract

The south-west coastal region of Bangladesh is adversely affected by sea level rise (SLR). To investigate the impacts of SLR on polder-enclosed beel communities, the Beel Dakatia (second largest beel in Bangladesh) region under polder no. 25 is considered as the study area. In the region, six villages named Kalitala, Kalibari, Krishna Nagar, Tolna (south), Baniapukur and Dakatia were surveyed and people's opinion regarding SLR-induced permanent inundation was analyzed. The livelihood parameters are categorized in five social dimensions. Considering present resilience of the people as 100%, the resilience of human, physical, natural, financial and socio-economic capitals are estimated to be reduced by 55%, 53%, 87%, 60% and 64%, respectively against 30.5 cm permanent inundation. For 61 cm permanent inundation, the resilience of people at human, natural, physical, financial and socio-economical dimensions are estimated to be reduced by 72%, 71%, 96%, 73% and 73%, respectively. For the adaptation against 30.5 cm permanent inundation in the area, local people think that they will be able to cope with the adverse effect by applying local adaptation techniques. If 61 cm inundation occurs and the water stands for a long time then they will have to leave the place.