Bazar District Research Articles

Livelihood Diversity of Forcibly Displaced Rohingyas Encamped in Bangladesh

This paper assesses the livelihood strategies of the forcibly displaced Myanmar nationals encamped in Cox’s Bazar district of Bangladesh. Although the predominant source of livelihood of the encamped Rohingya households is supposed to be various sources of assistance and transfer receipts, almost 76 per cent of them report positive income from various sources, including farm activities, enterprises, labour market, remittance, and non-food transfers, despite restrictions on mobility and income generation through employment. While a few of the sources dampen income inequality, others exacerbate it. Similarly, while several factors facilitate participation in income generation both at the extensive and intensive margins, a few others appear to hinder the process. Both the diversity and the level of income appear to be higher for households in the old wave (arrived before 25 August 2017) compared to that in the new wave (arrived after 25 August 2017), possibly due to better integration and adaptation to the local environment and context. The encamped Rohingya households with supplementary earned income and receipts rather than exclusively depending on WFP assistance enjoy relatively better well-being, at least in terms of higher expenditure and dietary diversity. The evidence on the impact of earned income and receipts on household well-being indicators reinforces their appeal for the right to work.

Assessment of fertility potential index of some soils of Moheshkhali betel leaf (Piper betle L.) estate

Fifteen soil samples (0-15cm depth) and fifteen betel leaf samples from Bara Moheshkhali, Choto Moheshkhali, Hoanak, Kalmarchora, Shaplapur union of Moheshkhali upazila, Cox’s Bazar district were collected on December-January (2020-2021). It was collected for the purpose of evaluating the color, particle density, moisture content, texture, pH, EC and organic matter content of soils and total nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium and sulfur of the soils and total protein content, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and sulfur of leaves. Maximum sampled soil was containing yellowish red color when moist and showed brown color when dried. Some of them were flood plain soil and that’s why showed grey color during dry and moist condition. Mean particle density was 2.49 g/cm3 and mean moisture content was 13.95%. Average sand, silt and clay were 65.08%, 18.56% and 19.26%, respectively. The texture of the soils was sandy loam to clay loam. The sand was by far the dominant fraction in the soils. Mean pH value was 5.63, organic matter was 0.30% and EC was 99.38μS/cm. Mean total nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and sulfur of the soils were 0.04, 0.46, 0.25 and 0.26%, respectively. The mean concentration of protein, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and sulfur in the betel leaf samples were 20.56, 3.29, 0.39, 0.79 and 0.20%, respectively. This investigation focuses on the fertility status and physico-chemical properties of soil in betel leaf garden of only hilly island of Bangladesh, Moheshkhali. J. Biodivers. Conserv. Bioresour. Manag. 2021, 7(1): 25-32

Assessment of the domestic energy use impacts of unplanned refugee settlements on the forest ecology of Cox’s Bazar, Bangladesh

This study monitors the forest ecology in Himchari National Park, Teknaf Wildlife Sanctuary, and between the areas in Cox's Bazar district, Bangladesh. The area has a rich biodiversity, including globally endangered species such as Asian Elephants (Elephas maximus) and Boilam Trees (Anisoptera scaphula), which are threatened by anthropogenic development, newly refugees’ unplanned settlements and their use of domestic energy. Geographic Information System (GIS) and Landsat satellite images are used to monitor forest coverage for 1995–2018. The Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) is applied to quantify forest area. Focus group discussions and questionnaire surveys were conducted to reveal stakeholder perceptions about their dependency on forest resources as ecosystem services. Close to the refugee camp areas, the forest coverage changes to grassland due to the unsustainable forest resource extraction. Despite the free of charge supply of Liquefied Petroleum Gas, the refugees burn 2,380 metric tons of firewood every month to satisfy energy for cooking. Besides, 200,000 households frequently use bamboo, small trees, and shrubs to maintain their dwellings' structure. Thus, deforestation caused by immigration between 2017–2018 is similar to that caused by the effect of climate change, including severe tropical cyclones in 1994–1995. This research identifies domestic energy supply deficiency and impacts, and the need for comparatively durable housing materials to reduce stress on forest resources and health hazards.

Existing livestock production and socioeconomic condition in selected hilly areas of Bangladesh

This survey was carried out to know the existing livestock farming system along with socioeconomic conditions in livestock communities in two different selected hilly areas under Bandarban and Cox’s Bazar District. Data were collected based on the farmer’s personal information, livestock and poultry production system, problems and prospects of livestock production and socio-economic status of commodity through a pre-structured questionnaire. The result revealed that there was no significant (P˃0.05) different in family size, age of the farmers but have significant (P˂0.05) different in illiteracy and occupation of the two villages. According to the land distribution pattern, there was no significant (P˃0.05) different in land size and land ownership but have significant (P˂0.05) different in cultivable and fellow land of the farmers in selected areas. The majority of the farmers have indigenous (native) type livestock and the cattle population was higher in Tulatuli (plain area) than in Adarshogram (hilly area) and it differed significantly (P˂ 0.05). In Adarshogram and Tulatuli villages, most of the farmers (79% and 80.43%) had separate housing facilities for their livestock species and they sold their livestock and poultry species in their local market. About 85.90% of farmers depended on natural sources as feed for their animals and only 14.10% purchased feed for their animals. About 71.50% of farmers faced animal feed crisis during the summer season followed by the rainy 19% and winter (9.50%) seasons. There was no significant (P˃ 0.05) different in the body weight of cattle, goats and sheep and milk production of cattle between the two villages. Most of the farmers (89.45%) depended on natural mating for breeding purposes and only 10.55% of farmers practiced artificial insemination. Cattle showed repeat heat which was significantly (P˂ 0.05) differ in the two villages. There was no significant (P˃0.05) different in calf/kid care after calving of the selected villages. About 72, 74% and 14, 17% and 42.42, 71.28% were affected warm in cattle, PPR in goats and ND in poultry, respectively between the two villages. About 60% and 58% of birds/animals were affected during the rainy season and most of the farmers 82% and 92% disposed of their dead birds/animals in the pit of the two villages. The result showed that average non-farm income (Tk.136929.44) was higher than farm income (Tk.50632.15) and average gross income per farmer per year was higher (Tk. 204739.37) in Tulatuli than Adarshogram (Tk.170383.74) but net income was in opposite direction. Results also showed that skill-ness about animal and poultry rearing, concentrate feed availability, vaccination facility and lack of pasture land had the main problems of the farmers for livestock and poultry rearing in selected two villages and significantly (P˂ 0.05) differed. Most of the farmers are interested in rearing cattle farming, followed by poultry, sheep, goats and pigeons in selected villages. It may be concluded that raising awareness, providing vaccination, making sustainable technology available, providing technical support for current stock to increase livestock production, and enhancing the livelihoods of local hill peoples. Bang. J. Livs. Res. Vol. 28 (1&2), 2021: P. 29-41

Difficulties faced by older Rohingya (forcibly displaced Myanmar nationals) adults in accessing medical services amid the COVID-19 pandemic in Bangladesh

BackgroundCOVID-19 has seriously disrupted health services in many countries including Bangladesh. This research aimed to explore whether Rohingya (forcefully displaced Myanmar nationals) older adults in Bangladesh faced difficulties accessing medicines...

Is Bhasan Char Island, Noakhali district in Bangladesh a sustainable place for the relocated Rohingya displaced people? An empirical study.

More than one million forcefully displaced Myanmar nationals, known as Rohingyas, are currently living in the 34 camps in the Cox’s Bazar district in Bangladesh. To reduce the pressure of Rohingyas in Cox’s Bazar, the government of Bangladesh has started the process of relocating some of the Rohingyas to Bhasan Char Island located in Noakhali district, Bangladesh. However, some international organisations, NGOs, and some people expressed their concerns over this relocation process. This article, thus, offers an evidence-based holistic perspective that explains the available facilities and opportunities that could bring a new hope instead of a threat to Rohingyas. Through a multi-method research approach, the paper argues that the Island is suitable for the displaced Rohingya people. It also explores that the relocation project has opportunities for Rohingyas to engage in some livelihood activities. The Island is stable and livable on a temporary basis and has adequate safety and security measures–embankments, wave breakers, shelter centers, and modern housing facilities–have been undertaken. This article, thus, concludes that Bhasan Char can offer a new hope–not a place with threats, for the Rohingya displaced people, to live temporarily before their repatriation to Myanmar.

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS OF SHRIMP FARMING IN CHAKARIA UPAZILA OF COX’S BAZAR IN BANGLADESH

Aquaculture has become one of the fastest-growing economic sub-sectors of the Bangladesh economy, providing protein-rich food, the source of employment and foreign currency earnings. Therefore, shrimp farming is very much common in the brackish water which affects the coastal natural ecosystem and livelihood of the coastal communities, prticularly in Chakaria Upazila of Cox’s Bazar district. Due to rapid and unplanned growth of this farming, socio-ecological systesms has been changing. This study aims to assess shrimp farming’s environmental, social, and economic impacts in Chakaria upazila in Bangladesh. Soil sample was collected to determine the environmental impacts of shrimp farming. Besides, we selected the shrimp farmers, rice producers, and alternative shrimp-rice producers through simple random sampling. Purposive sampling was conducted to choose the other stakeholders. A semi-structured questionnaire was developed for interviewing different stakeholders. We found that, because of the high economic benefit, high production rate in short time, and availability of brackish water, the people in this Upazila are attracted to continue the shrimp farming. As a result, mangrove forest and agricultural land converted into shrimp farming. Our soil analysis showed that organic matter content in was low (0.25-3.56%). In addition to this, most people suffer from water-borne diseases during the flooding period. We also found clear evidene of shortage of safe drinking water due to salinity intrusion in grounwater. The tendency of raring livestock such as cow, goat, and buffalo decreased due to insufficient grazing land. The study also revealed that some internal conflicts exist between different stakeholders in Chakararia Upazila. Most local shrimp fry collectors collect fry from the tidal river and use an unscientific traditional method which was harmful for the other aquatic fish population. Poor quality of larvae supply from hatchery caused various diseases in cultivated ghers and ponds. The findings from this study provide useful information for sustainable coastal zone management in Bangladesh to build a more resilient coastal communities.

How Does the Rohingya Influx Influence the Residential Satisfaction and Mobility Intentions of the Host Communities in Bangladesh?

This study investigates the residential satisfaction and future relocation intention of the host communities neighbouring Rohingya migrants in Bangladesh. An empirical study of 151 households was conducted in Ukhiya and Ramu Upazila of Cox’s Bazar district in late 2019. The residential satisfaction component includes the social environment (SE), neighbourhood environment (NE), and public services and facilities (PS&F). It shows that, due to the Rohingya influx, the residential satisfaction level of the Ukhiya host communities declined by 30.17%. Besides, to determine factors that impact on the intention to migrate, the ordinal logistic regression model has been run. A larger distance between the household and the Rohingya camps, longer duration of residence in the community, and a higher number of children in the family negatively influence the mobility intention of the host communities. Furthermore, the Hindu residents in the host communities have higher propensity to relocate. These findings demand that policies and programmes should be planned in a way that enables the host communities to stay in place despite the Rohingya influx.

Food habit and health problems among brick field workers in Cox's Bazar district, Bangladesh

Food habit and health problems among brick field workers in Cox's Bazar district, Bangladesh

A machine learning approach to monitoring and forecasting spatio-temporal dynamics of land cover in Cox's Bazar district, Bangladesh from 2001 to 2019

This study uses machine learning techniques to monitor the areal extent of land use land cover (LULC) classes in Cox's Bazar district, a well-known tourist destination in Bangladesh from 2001 to 2019. The main objective of this study is to quantify the changes in LULC classes during this period and forecasting the areal extents classes for 2019 and 2025. Satellite imagery of 2001, 2005, and 2010 from Landsat 4-5 TM and, 2015, and 2019 from Landsat 8 OLI/TIRS were used to classify the study area into four LULC classes (water bodies, urban areas, vegetation, and bare land) using Random Forest (RF) classifier. These classes were used to forecast areal extents of land cover using Cellular Automata Simulation (CAS) for 2025. The eleven LULC classes from MODIS land cover type products (IGBP scheme) were also forecasted using RF regressor to compare prediction accuracy. This study observed an increase in vegetation cover and urban settlements by 26.65% and 2.52%, respectively, with decreased water bodies and bare lands by 17.25% and 11.91%. The overall accuracy of the classification is between 89.04% to 95.24%; CAS forecast accuracy is 93.2% and RF regressor forecast accuracy ranges from 87% to 99.8%. Grid search with cross-validations was performed to boost the accuracy of both models. The results are consistent with overall global trends of LULC change.

Description of a new species of giant guitarfish, Glaucostegus younholeei sp. nov. (Rhinopristiformes: Glaucostegidae) from the northern Bay of Bengal, Bangladesh.

A new species of giant guitarfish, Glaucostegus younholeei sp. nov., is described from 13 specimens, 730933 mm total length, collected from fish landing center of Bangladesh Fisheries Development Corporation in Cox's Bazar district of Bangladesh. The new species is distinguished from congeners in having the following combination of characters: Body brownish or greyish in color with a narrowly wedge-shaped disc, and long narrow bluntly pointed snout (angle 3140°), and broad oblique nostrils with the narrow anterior opening. Nostrils about half of the mouth width, subequal (0.981.33) to internasal width; ~5557 nasal lamellae; anterior nasal flaps slightly penetrating into internasal space, their interspace 2.20 2.61 in length of the posterior nasal aperture. Orbit very small in adults, diameter 8.1911.62 in preorbital length, 2.252.69 in interorbital space. Rostral ridges almost joined along their entire length; margin of cranium sharply demarcated before eyes. Spiracular folds very short and widely separated. Skin rough, densely covered with small denticles, more coarsely granular on the dorsal surface than ventrally, enlarged between orbits and in a distinct band between nape and first dorsal fin. Tail relatively longer, length 1.151.48 in disc length; dorsal fins narrowly spaced, interspace 1.322.11 in base length of the first dorsal fin. Clasper length in adult male 4.375.70 in total length. Phylogenetic analysis of DNA barcode sequences also shows the clear divergence of Glaucostegus younholeei from other congeneric species obtained from GenBank. A key is provided to the 8 known members including new species of the genus Glaucostegus.

No Serological Evidence of Trachoma or Yaws Among Residents of Registered Camps and Makeshift Settlements in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh.

.Successful achievement of global targets for elimination of trachoma as a public health problem and eradication of yaws will require control efforts to reach marginalized populations, including refugees. Testing for serologic evidence of transmission of trachoma and yaws in residents of registered camps and a Makeshift Settlement in Cox’s Bazar District, Bangladesh, was added to a serosurvey for vaccine-preventable diseases (VPDs) conducted April–May 2018. The survey was primarily designed to estimate remaining immunity gaps for VPDs, including diphtheria, measles, rubella, and polio. Blood specimens from 1- to 14-year-olds from selected households were collected and tested for antibody responses against antigens from Treponema pallidum and Chlamydia trachomatis using a multiplex bead assay to evaluate for serologic evidence of the neglected tropical diseases (NTDs) yaws and trachoma, respectively. The prevalence of antibodies against two C. trachomatis antigens in children ranged from 1.4% to 1.5% for Pgp3 and 2.8% to 7.0% for CT694. The prevalence of antibody responses against both of two treponemal antigens (recombinant protein17 and treponemal membrane protein A) tested was 0% to 0.15% in two camps. The data are suggestive of very low or no transmission of trachoma and yaws, currently or previously, in children resident in these communities. This study illustrates how integrated serologic testing can provide needed data to help NTD programs prioritize limited resources.

Analysis of residential satisfaction: An empirical evidence from neighbouring communities of Rohingya camps in Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh.

This study aims to understand the level of residential satisfaction of the host communities' aftermath of the influx of Rohingya in Bangladesh. A total of 151 household heads were randomly interviewed from Ukhiya and Ramu Upazila of Cox's Bazar district, Bangladesh. A residential satisfaction index is developed with a total of twenty-two variables comprised of four components- social environment (SE), neighbourhood environment (NE), public services and facilities (PS&F), and dwelling units (DU). The coefficients of the components indicate that the PS&F, SE, and NE impact much on the overall residential satisfaction compare to the DU. The analysis demonstrates that the people who have tertiary level education, who is Muslim and whose work opportunities remain the same as before, are more satisfied, but older people are less satisfied than younger. Besides, the degradation of social harmony, livestock and agricultural land losses, and decreased wages were the significant causes of dissatisfaction. These findings may contribute to taking appropriate policies and programs for the host communities taken by the government and non-government organizations.

The sustainability-peace nexus in crisis contexts: how the Rohingya escaped the ethnic violence in Myanmar, but are trapped into environmental challenges in Bangladesh.

Because of ethnic and cultural violence in Myanmar, approximately a million Rohingya fled to neighboring Bangladesh starting from August 2017, in what the UN has called a “textbook example of ethnic cleansing”. Those arriving in Bangladesh were able to escape decade-long ethnic violence in Myanmar, but the Rohingya’s immediate destination, Cox’s Bazar district is one of the most climate-vulnerable and disaster-prone areas in Bangladesh. Currently, they have been subjected to extreme rainfalls, landslides, and flashfloods. With the COVID-19 pandemic, they continue to face fear and further marginalization in resource-constrained Bangladesh, as well as increased vulnerability due to tropical cyclones, flashfloods, and landslides. The Rohingya in southeast Bangladesh are now at the epicenter of a humanitarian and sustainability crisis. However, their situation is not entirely unique. Millions of displaced, stateless or refugees around the world are facing multi-dimensional crises in various complex geopolitical, and climatic situations. Using the theoretical lens of political ecology and critical development studies, this paper analyzes the sustainability–peace nexus for millions of Rohingya in Myanmar and in Bangladesh. This paper is based on information from various sources, including three ethnographic field visits in recent years, which helped to get local insights into the current sustainability challenges in this humanitarian context. The core arguments of this paper suggest that sustainability–peace nexus will especially be compromised in climate-vulnerable resource-constrained conditions. To overcome this challenge, decolonizing Rohingya solutions would be critical, by engaging the Rohingya in the process of development and meaningful change, which can affect their lives, livelihoods, and wellbeing. Even though this paper has a specific geographical focus, the insights are relevant in parts of the world facing similar social, economic, political, and environmental challenges.

Prevalence of dental anomalies among the school children: An Epidemiological study in South-East Region of Bangladesh

Purpose: This study was conducted on a randomly selected group of secondary school adolescents in the Sadar Upazila under Cox's Bazar to assess the incidence of developmental dental (Deciduous, permanent and Mixed Dentition) anomalies concerning age, gender, and the relationship between jaws and teeth.Methodology: A sample survey by an oral examination of 198 school students, 11–16 years of age, was drawn from a Kalatali, Cox's Bazar District school Bangladesh who were available on October 19, 2019. Our participants were limited to students whose parents were agreed to participate in the survey and provided informed consent. Clinical examination was performed to identify the prevalence of developmental dental anomaly using portable light, dental mirror, and oral explorer. Dental abnormalities were discovered after examining the complete maxillary and mandibular arch.Results: Of the total respondents under the study, 56.6% were female, and 43.4% were male. Among the diagnosed disturbances, developmental anomalies in upper lateral incisors prevailed in 34.3% of cases. The cusp of Carabelli appeared to be the most dominant one covering almost 73.9% of the existing coverage of anomalies. However, the presence of the cusp of Carabelli in the permanent dentition was found in 76.2% of cases.Conclusion: Out of several dental anomalies, cups of Carabelli came out as the most prevalent dental anomaly among the sample shows 11.15 Chi-square value of the study subjects.

New records of seaweeds from southeastern coasts of Cox’s Bazar district, Bangladesh

Gracilaria tenuistipitata var. liui Zhang et Xia 1988 from sand-flat at Nuniachara, Cox’s Bazar, Ulva linza Lin. from west coast of Naf R. at Noapara, Teknaf and Fishary Ghat in River Bakkhali, at Cox’s Bazar, and Caulerpa fergusonii Murray from St. Martin’s Island (SMI), have been newly recorded and illustrated from Bangladesh. C. chemnitzschi (Esper) Weber-van Bosse var. irregulare Aziz & Alfasane var. nov. and C. sertularioides (S.G. Gmelin) M. Howe var. robusta Aziz & Alfasane var. nov. from SMI, Cox’s Bazar District, Bangladesh are new to science. Total number of marine algal taxa so far recorded from Bangladesh coasts is now 210.
 Bangladesh J. Plant Taxon. 27(2): 335-343, 2020 (December)

Exploring Politics of Social Safety Net in Bangladesh through Political Settlement: The Case of Rajakhali Union in Cox’s Bazar District

The purpose of the study is to explore the politics of beneficiaries’ selection and resource distribution of social safety net (SSN) programs and how local elites and political groups establish political settlement by using it as a tool. In developing countries, formal systems are not strong enough and elites’ groups use their power to create informal institutions for securing their interests. As other studies have shown, informal politics influence the processes of selection and distribution of SSN programs in Bangladesh. The study is qualitative in nature and the selected research area is Rajakhali Union in Cox’s Bazar District. The study found that informal systems (e.g. clientelist politics, political affiliation, personal conflicts, and kinship) determine the selection and distribution of SSN programs. The Union Parishad (UP) members distribute the SSN programs to their ineligible clients (supporters, local elites, and political groups) by bypassing the formal systems for strengthening clientelist relations, increasing their legitimacy, stabling their power, and increasing their vote banks. They (UP members, political elites, and local elites) have allowed introducing more informal structures that better serve their interests. They have used the SSN programs as a tool for establishing the political settlement (distribution of power between UP members and local elites).

Effects of aqua drugs and chemicals on the farmed shrimp (Penaeus monodon) in southern coastal region of Bangladesh

The study was conducted to observe the effects of aqua drugs and chemicals on the health of farmed shrimp (Penaeusmonodon) in southern coastal region of Bangladesh. Samples were collected from shrimp farms and ghers in three upazilas of Cox’s Bazar district, namely Cox’s Bazar Sadar, Teknaf and Maheshkhaliupazila during March 2018 to October 2018. Data were collected through personal contact, questionnaire interview and discussion with key informants. During the study period water temperature were ranged between 26°C to 32°C in summer and 23°C in rainy season. The highest pH was 8.0 ± 0.20 recorded from Beximco Shrimp Farm of Cox’s Bazar Sadar in summer and the lowest was 7.0 ± 0.23 from the Aquaculture Farm Limited of Cox’s Bazar Sadar. Farmers in the study areas used Geotox to remove gas, TSP to proliferate algae and Zymetin to inhibit growth of pathogens and to promote shrimp growth. The highest recovery was recorded 90-96% by use of Bleaching powder in Aquaculture Farm limited of Cox’s Bazar Sadar area. On the other hand, the lowest recovery was recorded 60-65% by use of Zeolite plus in Beximco shrimp farm of Cox’s Bazar Sadarupazila. The average recovery was recorded from Beximco shrimp farm of Cox’s Bazar Sadarupazila. By use of EcodoxinZoothamniumwas 80-85% recovery. Farmers used more aqua-drugs in rainy season than summer. By use of Oxyflow instant oxygen supply was recorded 75-80% recovery. The highest recovery was recorded 90-95% by use of Lime in Unique Aquaculture of Teknaf. On the other hand, the lowest recovery was recorded 60-65% by use of Renamox in MKA shrimp farm of Teknafupazila. The average recovery was recorded Unique Aquaculture of Teknafupazila. From field and laboratory observations it was revealed that the study area had potentiality for shrimp culture, although necessary measures need to be taken specially during rainy season.
 Asian J. Med. Biol. Res. September 2020, 6(3): 491-498

Improving Spatial Agreement in Machine Learning-Based Landslide Susceptibility Mapping

Despite yielding considerable degrees of accuracy in landslide predictions, the outcomes of different landslide susceptibility models are prone to spatial disagreement; and therefore, uncertainties. Uncertainties in the results of various landslide susceptibility models create challenges in selecting the most suitable method to manage this complex natural phenomenon. This study aimed to propose an approach to reduce uncertainties in landslide prediction, diagnosing spatial agreement in machine learning-based landslide susceptibility maps. It first developed landslide susceptibility maps of Cox’s Bazar district of Bangladesh, applying four machine learning algorithms: K-Nearest Neighbor (KNN), Multi-Layer Perceptron (MLP), Random Forest (RF), and Support Vector Machine (SVM), featuring hyperparameter optimization of 12 landslide conditioning factors. The results of all the four models yielded very high prediction accuracy, with the area under the curve (AUC) values range between 0.93 to 0.96. The assessment of spatial agreement of landslide predictions showed that the pixel-wise correlation coefficients of landslide probability between various models range from 0.69 to 0.85, indicating the uncertainty in predicted landslides by various models, despite their considerable prediction accuracy. The uncertainty was addressed by establishing a Logistic Regression (LR) model, incorporating the binary landslide inventory data as the dependent variable and the results of the four landslide susceptibility models as independent variables. The outcomes indicated that the RF model had the highest influence in predicting the observed landslide locations, followed by the MLP, SVM, and KNN models. Finally, a combined landslide susceptibility map was developed by integrating the results of the four machine learning-based landslide predictions. The combined map resulted in better spatial agreement (correlation coefficients range between 0.88 and 0.92) and greater prediction accuracy (0.97) compared to the individual models. The modelling approach followed in this study would be useful in minimizing uncertainties of various methods and improving landslide predictions.

Rohingya Influx and Changing Gender Perception among the Host Community: the Context of Cox’s Bazar of Bangladesh

The paper aims to understand the causes of changing gender perception in Cox’s Bazar district of Bangladesh after the Rohingya influx. Rohingyas have been playing a significant role in the life and attitude of host communities. The study revealed that Rohingya people and their culture are blending with the local people and culture which eventually is affecting the existing hosts’ tradition and practice. Even this blending is restructuring the socio-economic and religion-cultural practices of the host people. On the other hand, NGOs and INGOs are offering jobs to local women and girls. This opportunity though benefiting the stakeholders’ family is ultimately breaking the long-practiced social and religious structure of the society. By and large, the host people are conservative. Women and girls wear veils and they have no practice to work or job by going outside. So, this type of economic, societal, and cultural empowerment of women and girls sometimes contrasts with religious and social long drilled practices in the host area. Further, families who could not afford to manage any job in the camp feel frustrated and sometimes play a negative impression on the women's and girls’ mobility and job. Hence, the key question of the article is to know why the perception of gender in the host area is changing after the Rohingya arrivals. Methodologically, this is explorative research that followed the qualitative method instrumented with the Case studies, Key Informant Interviews (KIIs), and Focus Group Discussions (FGDs). The paper has also endeavored to address the changing nature of women’s empowerment and gender dimension in the host area that occurred after the Rohingya influx which is not explored yet. Therefore, this study can be a fairy source for posterior researchers.