Southwestern Coastal Bangladesh Research Articles

Integrating machine learning algorithms and fuzzy AHP for assessing livelihood vulnerability in Southwestern Coastal Bangladesh

The people living in the coastal regions of Bangladesh rely significantly on nature for their livelihoods, which renders them sensitive to climate change. The aim of this study is to determine the key indicators which contribute more to livelihood vulnerability of disaster-prone Gabura union in southwestern coastal Bangladesh. To achieve this goal, three machine learning algorithms are employed for determining the key indicators of livelihood vulnerability. Subsequently, a livelihood vulnerability index (LVI) is constructed using these key indicators with the weighting of indicators facilitated by Fuzzy AHP method. And finally, a livelihood vulnerability map (LVM) is generated to visualize the spatial distribution and analysis of livelihood vulnerability within the union. The study employs a mixed-methods approach, including questionnaire surveys, focus group discussions, key informant interviews, and remote sensing image analysis. A household survey of 950 households tracked livelihood vulnerability using 25 indicators across three domains of vulnerability, e.g., exposure, sensitivity, and adaptive capacity. ArcGIS and Google Earth Engine facilitated spatial data analysis. The Gabura Union exposed high vulnerability (LVI 0.63), driven by elevated exposure (0.61) and sensitivity (0.59) and lower adaptive capacity (0.30). The Livelihood Vulnerability Map (LVM) illustrates vulnerability across wards of the union, emphasizing high vulnerability zones on the periphery of the union, along the Kopothakho and Kholpetua rivers while central part of the union shows a moderate vulnerability level. The study's novelty lies in effectively integrating multiple methods for livelihood vulnerability assessment. Policymakers should target interventions focusing on areas along the Kopothakho River, to enhance community resilience.

Climate change (Mal)adaptation in the Bangladesh’ Sundarbans – a Systematic Review

Bangladesh is among the countries most vulnerable to climate change. This vulnerability stems not only from its exposure to climate change and intensified extreme weather events but also from the way adaptation policies and projects have been designed using a technocratic, top-down approach. As a result, much of the adaptation has led to negative consequences for certain groups—often the most vulnerable—who depend directly on nature for their livelihoods. This outcome, known as maladaptation, has been particularly pronounced. This paper conducts a systematic review of peer-reviewed literature since 2014, the year when maladaptation first gained significant attention in the IPCC’s fifth report. The goal is to assess the current state of research on climate change adaptation in Southwestern coastal Bangladesh, particularly around the Sundarbans, the largest contiguous mangrove forest in the world. The review aims to identify research gaps and discuss key lessons learned. Keywords used in the review include 'maladaptation', 'barriers to adaptation', 'ecosystem-based adaptation', and 'gender', as these concepts are all interrelated to some degree. The review highlights significant research gaps across all topics, as well as a geographical imbalance in the distribution of studies within the region. Given the prevalence of maladaptation in Bangladesh, it is crucial that more research focuses on this issue to gather insights and reduce the risk of maladaptation in future climate change adaptation projects in the country.

The Community’s Understanding and Responses Regarding Land Subsidence, Waterlogging, and the Link Between the Two in Rural South-western Coastal Bangladesh

Land subsidence has triggered severe waterlogging problems in the southwestern coastal zone of Bangladesh, which affects the biodiversity as well as people’s lives, and livelihoods. The members of the affected community, however, appear to have a poor understanding of the nature of land subsidence and its consequences. This study, therefore, aims to assess the community members’ understanding of as well as the actions that they take to solve problems of this nature in the rural, southwestern coastal zone of Bangladesh. A qualitative comparative case study approach was employed in this study, where two rural communities from the southwestern coastal districts were selected as the cases. By subjecting the data to thematic analysis, the study found that, although a few civil society members and activists are, to some extent, aware of the occurrence of land subsidence and its linkage with waterlogging, however, most of the members of the communities lack adequate knowledge or an understanding about the nature, causes and consequences of the land subsidence issue and its connection to the waterlogging problem in their locality. Thus, it was found that they take no or very few measures to cope with the risk of land subsidence. The study’s findings imply that the policymakers should formulate a strategy for making the members of the community aware of the nature, causes, and consequences of land subsidence issues.

Safe water crisis and struggle of climate-vulnerable indigenous communities in southwestern coastal Bangladesh

Abstract This study was designed to unearth the beliefs, practices, and management of safe drinking water of Munda and Rajbangshi indigenous communities. To apprehend the safe drinking water-related behaviour and practice, the qualitative approach was followed where 20 in-depth interviews were carried out among the Munda and Rajbangshi communities in Shyamnagar and Kaliganj Upazila (sub-district) of Satkhira district, Bangladesh. Findings indicate that the intrusion of saline water due to climate-induced changes led to a scarcity of potable water for both communities in the last few decades. Despite the existence of centuries-old traditional practices of water purification, the indigenous communities, particularly women, were compelled to collect safe drinking water from, in general, distant sources as the other sources of water were contaminated with saline water. Despite their collective efforts, managing safe water sometimes, particularly in the rainy season, becomes impossible for these marginalized people as it costs a considerable amount of household income. To ensure their access to safe drinking water and to explore the underlying factors, whether social, economic, cultural or environmental, initiatives from both government and non-government organizations are required for a sustainable life for these unheard plain land indigenous communities in Bangladesh.

‘We knew a cyclone was imminent’: Hazard preparedness and disaster management efficiency nexus in coastal Bangladesh

Natural hazard-prone countries in the global south adopted an anticipatory-preparedness approach in disaster risk reduction (DRR) by shifting away from the response and rehabilitation approach. It was highly associated with the policy recommendations of the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR) framework. Nevertheless, challenges remained in managing disaster risks due to heterogeneous efficiency among disaster managers. This research examines the institutional effectiveness of the disaster management agency in cyclone-prone areas in southwestern coastal Bangladesh through network analysis. This research also explores institutional efficiency's impact on household preparedness in mitigating losses. We collected two distinct data sets from the local Union Disaster Management Committee (UDMC) and households in the same operational area of UDMC that were at risk of cyclonic disasters. To evaluate the effectiveness of local disaster management institutions, we conducted structured interviews with 336 representatives, spanning eight UDMCs in the cyclone-prone regions. To assess the impact of institutional performance (specifically, the UDMCs) on household disaster preparedness and loss mitigation, we collected data from 696 at-risk households. These households were located within the operational zones of the eight UDMCs, and the data was obtained using a structured questionnaire. Based on the application of social network analysis, our findings demonstrated that UDMC members were more active in the aftermath of disasters, as confirmed by three centrality measures - degree, eigenvector, and betweenness. Consequently, upon employing the Negative Binomial and Poisson regression models, we found a positive association between household engagement with UDMCs and participation in disaster preparedness training. This training appeared to enhance the knowledge and capacity of the respondents. The spill-over effects from disaster preparedness appeared to bolster the resilience of at-risk households, assist them in avoiding disaster-induced damages, and maintain consumption stability in the wake of disasters.

HOUSEHOLDS’ WILLINGNESS TO PAY FOR NATURAL HAZARD INSURANCE IN THE SOUTHWESTERN COASTAL REGION OF BANGLADESH

The southwestern coastal region of Bangladesh is enormously susceptible to natural hazards due to global environmental change, triggering economic instability in coastal households every year. Hazard microinsurance might be a decent option to build financial resilience; considering the assorted consumers’ preferences is essential for policy scheming. Therefore, this research estimated households’ willingness to pay (WTP) for natural hazard insurance (NHI) in Bagerhat Sadar and Rampal upazila of Bagerhat district in southwestern coastal Bangladesh. The contingent valuation method’s double-bounded dichotomous choice (DBDC) technique was exerted on the 120 randomly interviewed households’ dataset to estimate the WTP for NHI considering three experimental bid values (i.e., initial bid of BDT 300, maximum bid of BDT 500, and lower bid of BDT 200 as the NHI premium per month). This assessment revealed that, on average, around three-fourth of coastal household experienced financial losses (i.e., damage to crops, fish-shrimp enclosures, integrated farms, and houses) yearly due to natural hazards. Almost two-third of the total sample was interested in taking such alternative financial support after a massive coastal hazard, and the mean WTP was approximately BDT 284. Amongst those households, more than four-fifth were willing to pay for the initial bid value. Moreover, a logit analysis was performed to identify WTP’s probability and maximum likelihood; the Pearson goodness-of-fit test to estimate the chi-square ( =5.29; p<0.01) value; and Kendall’s tau-b ( ) test to clarify the level of significance and associations [Highest correlation-coefficient (WTP and initial bid) =0.837**; **p<0.01; strongly associated; optimal value] between WTP and three experimental bid values. Besides, this research has attempted to give policymakers a vivid understanding of households’ behavior in adopting such microinsurance. Government and development agencies are highly recommended to implement such a microinsurance scheme as post-hazard economic facilitation for coastal victims.

MORPHOLOGY OF PILA GLOBOSA (GASTROPOD MOLLUSCA: AMPULLARIIDAE) WITHIN ENVIRONMENTAL VARIATION OF SOUTH-WESTERN BANGLADESH

Owing to the community engagement of the gastropod collection in the south western ecosystems in Bangladesh, the gastropod molluscs are getting important attention in terms of edible and non-edible purposes while detailed morphological information about the gastropods is scarce in this area. The present research has investigated the morphological variability of the gastropod molluscs (Pila globosa) in the six localities of south-western coastal Bangladesh (such as, Khulna, Bagerhat, Satkhira, Gopalganj, Pirojpur and Jessore). A total of 2160 gastropod samples (Pila globosa) were collected from July to December monthly over the two consecutive years of 2013 and 2014. The results of the analyses revealed that the maximum monthly mean values of the dry shell mass and the dry body mass were found in November, indicating the complete growth and development of the gastropods in the coastal environment. One-way ANOVA and ANCOVA show that there is a significant morphological variability of Pila globosa among different localities in the south-west coastal Bangladesh, while the covariate of water salinity significantly affects the aperture length of it; the covariate of electrical conductivity of soil significantly affects both the height and aperture length; the covariate of sodium contents of the soil significantly affects the aperture length of the gastropod mollusc. The results also revealed that the morphological variability of the mollusc P. globosa is linked to complex ecological systems and habitat variation.

Monitoring of drainage system and waterlogging area in the human-induced Ganges-Brahmaputra tidal delta plain of Bangladesh using MNDWI index

Waterlogging is one of the major global problems which affects agro-economic activities around the world. In the coastal areas of Bangladesh, especially the southwestern coast, drainage congestion and waterlogging are very common which makes the area uninhabitable. Therefore, timely checking of drainage systems and surface water, and conveying data on the dynamics of drainages and surface water are important for plan and supervisory processes. The present study took an effort to illustrate the waterlogging and morphological change of the rivers in the southwestern coast of Bangladesh through the Modification Normalized Difference Water Index (MNDWI) values which are valuable indicators for monitoring the water area and land use pattern change. Landsat images (Landsat L8 Oli TIRS, Landsat ETM+, Landsat TM) were used in the research. The study reveals that from 1989 to 2020, the shallow water area (mostly covered with rivers) decreased by ∼14.30 km2 yr−1, whereas the wet-land area (mostly covered with beels and water logging areas) increased by ∼ 67.12 km2 yr−1. The bare land area also increased at a rate of ∼ 36.90 km2 yr−1. On the other hand, the green vegetation decreased at a rate of ∼166.1 km2 yr−1, whereas the moderate green vegetation area increased by ∼ 69.77 km2 yr−1 for the same period. In the coastal zones of Bangladesh, the polders, embankments, upstream dams, etc., enhance more sedimentation within the channels rather than in the nearby tidal plains. As a result, the shallow water area which is mostly covered by rivers is gradually decreasing. Moreover, due to increase in wet-land areas with salinity intrusions which affect the vegetation. Therefore, the green vegetation area is regularly declining due to demolition or conversion to moderate green vegetation. The findings of the research will be supportive for coastal scientists worldwide, policy makers & planners, and finally supportive for sustainable management of the coastal areas including Bangladesh.

Nutritional status of a young adult population in saline-prone coastal Bangladesh.

Like many low- and middle-income countries, understanding the nutritional status of the young population in Bangladesh has had less attention. With projected climate change and associated sea level rise, the existing problem of salinity in coastal Bangladesh will significantly increase and further worsen agrobiodiversity. This research aimed to examine the nutritional status of a young population in climate-vulnerable coastal Bangladesh to inform appropriate intervention strategies to reduce the burden on health and economic outcomes. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in 2014, and anthropometric measures were conducted for 309 young people aged 19-25 years in a rural saline-prone subdistrict in southwestern coastal Bangladesh. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated from body height and weight, and data about socio-demographic factors were collected. To identify the socio-demographic risk factors affecting undernutrition (BMI <18.5 kg/m2) and overweight/obesity (BMI ≥ 25.0 kg/m2), multinomial logistic regression analysis was used. Overall, one-fourth of the study population was classified as underweight, and nearly one-fifth were overweight or obese. The proportion of underweight was significantly higher in women (32.5%) compared to that of men (15.2%). Overall, employment, especially in women, was associated with reduced odds of being underweight (adjusted odds ratio-aOR: 0.32; 95% confidence interval - CI: 0.11, 0.89). Subjects with secondary education incomplete (grades 6-9) compared to those with primary or below education (grades 0-5; aOR: 2.51; 95% CI: 1.12, 5.59) and employed compared to those unemployed groups (aOR: 5.84; 95% CI: 2.67, 12.74) were more likely to be overweight or obese in this study population. These associations were more pronounced in women. Multisectoral program strategies are required to tackle the growing burden of malnutrition (both under and overweight) in this young age group tailored to local contexts including in climate-vulnerable coastal Bangladesh.

Early sowing increases nitrogen use efficiency of sunflower in wet clay soils

AbstractEarly sowing increases yield potential of sunflower on wet, saline clay soils but the effects on nitrogen (N) requirements have not been determined. In a 2‐year study on a drainable field with wet, saline clay soils in southwestern coastal Bangladesh, we investigated nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) and yield responses to N rates (0, 60, 90, 120, 150, 180 and 210 kg ha−1) for zero‐till sunflower cv. Hysun‐33 sown from November 30 (early) to December 30 (late). Early sowing produced highest seed yield (3.59 ton ha−1) and oil yield (1400 kg ha−1) at 150 kg N ha−1. Delayed sowing (December 15–December 30) reduced seed and oil yields by 4%–15% and 7%–18%, respectively. In late sowing, crops suffered from multiple stresses (soil–water deficit, salinity, and heat), which decreased yields. The N fertilizer requirement in late sowing was higher (180 kg ha−1) to achieve maximum yield, yet the yield was lower than from earlier sowing. Compared with nil N supply, the rates of 60–150 kg N ha−1 increased seed and oil yields of the early‐sown sunflower by 1.3–3.3 times and 1.2–2.9 times, respectively, whereas the rates of 180–210 kg N ha−1 decreased seed and oil yields by 2%–5% and 7%–14%, respectively. Higher net profit (US$764) was also achieved from earlier sowing with 150 kg N ha−1. We conclude that under wet and saline clay soils, higher sunflower yield in early sowing is attributable to lower stress that increased NUE and decreased N requirement.

Groundwater quality assessment and health issues in coastal zone of Bangladesh

The purpose of this study was to assess the water quality index (WQI), heavy metal evaluation index (HEI), heavy metal pollution index (HPI) and hazard index (HI), and the associated environmental/human health issues of the south-western coastal Bangladesh (SWCB). Rajoir, Gangarampur and Ganapatipur villages were purposively selected from shoreline (X), interim (Y) and inland (Z) coast of SWCB. 40 ground water samples were collected from 20 sampling sites; and 18 variables, such as, temperature, pH, electrical conductivity (EC), dissolved solids (TDS), suspended solids, dissolve oxygen, total hardness, Cl, K, Ca, Cr, Mn, Fe, Ni, Cu, Zn, Cd and Pb ions were tested to perform the study. In addition, four focus group discussions were also conducted to understand the current health scenarios. The strong positive correlation between EC:Cu (r = 0.856), TDS:Mn (r = 0.664), TDS:Cu (r = 0.880), K:Mn (0.736) and Mn:Cu (r = 0.601) suggested the homogeneous sources of origin or/and anthropogenic activities or pollutant movement of these variables. The changing patterns of mean WQI, HEI, HPI, HIinfant, HIchild and HIadult of the study area were X(79.19)<Y(91.54)<Z(102.31); X(4.96)>Y(4.93)>Z(3.79); X(78.66)<Y(91.72)<Z(102.11); X(0.8)<Y(1.11)<Z(1.32); X(1.77)<Y(2.46) <Z(2.93); X(1.15)<Y(1.60)<Z(1.91), respectively. Therefore, it is argued that 66.67, 50 and 50% water samples from X, Y and Z coast grouped into category ‘very poor’, ‘excellent’ and ‘unfit’ based on WQI. In addition, 50, 40 and 50% water samples from X, Y and Z coast grouped into category ‘slightly affected’, ‘seriously affected’ and ‘moderately affected’ depending upon HEI. 100, 70 and 50% water samples from these villages were within the HPI (<100). Finally, the degree of pollution was increased from shoreline to inland areas based on HI results for infant, child and adult, respectively. Lastly, it confirmed that human health should be deteriorated for the long-term consumption of polluted/contaminated water and negatively impacted on biodiversity loss of the study area.

How do the farmers cope with salinity on the Southwestern coast of Bangladesh?

Salinity is one of the major disasters faced on the southwestern coast of Bangladesh, and it causes a lot of damage in the agriculture sector. This study explores the impact of salinity on agriculture in coastal areas. It outlines the strategies adopted by farmers and the government to overcome the adverse effects of salinity on agriculture. Using qualitative methods, data are collected from Raruli Union in Paikgaccha Upazila of Khulna district, Bangladesh. Findings show that salinity spread in most of the cultivable land due to Cyclone Aila, which struck on May 25, 2009. Aila caused extensive damage to fruits, forestry, and fisheries in the region. Many cultivable lands have become fish ghers due to salinity, and the farmers are leaving the agricultural production and are willing to involve themselves in the gher business after Aila. Some farmers are leaving farming and moving to different occupations (garments, brick kilns). The government has already undertaken a project to repair the coastal embankments and dig dead rivers to overcome this saline effect. Farmers are also taking collective strategies to resolve this problem, such as preparing land for 3-5 days before cultivation, irrigating the land with fresh water, and not leaving the land for a long time. The study argues that indigenous strategies help coastal farmers cope with salinity-induced problems, but government support is needed to increase their farming capacity. The study suggests that medicine for livestock, fisheries and poultry to combat viral diseases, salinityresilient vegetables, rice varieties, and the supply of virus-free small fry to fishermen, raising awareness among the farmers, and providing training are needed to minimize the effect of salinity.

Occupational Strategies in Coastal Villages of the Lower Bengal Delta: Questions for Sustainability

Occupations in the Lower Bengal Delta have been disrupted for various reasons, such as natural disasters, social degradation, economic crisis, and political revenge. It results in changing their traditional occupations. This study discusses how traditional occupations can be made sustainable in the future. An empirical study has been conducted in two villages in the Shyamnagor subdistrict of Satkhira district in southwestern coastal Bangladesh. The empirical methods included 310 household surveys, focus group discussions, and key informant interviews. Results show that 15 professions have been recorded and grouped into four categories: zero-capital instant wage occupations, minimum capital-end rewarding occupations, intellectual occupations, and capital-based occupations, depending on the type of capital. These categories accommodate mainly hand-based occupations—a trend most experienced in stressed environmental conditions. The intellectual occupations desire more institutional support for their sustainability. However, the sustainability of current occupational strides can be achieved by healthy external subsidies for applying knowledge and tangible inputs with information, communication, and technology support, as suggested by households (HH) involved in capital-based occupations. These HH suggested an integrated approach for occupational stride; however, such occupations are primarily land-based. The current climate-induced hazards to land and water’s physicochemical attributes suggest an uncertain return from such capital-based, land-oriented occupations. Thus, this study suggests that hand-based occupations have a better chance for sustainability than subsidised capital-based land-oriented occupations.

Disaster experiences, associated problems and lessons in southwestern coastal Bangladesh: exploring through participatory rural appraisal to enhance resilience

ABSTRACT The southwestern coastal part of Bangladesh is highly vulnerable to different kinds of disasters due to the changing climatic conditions. With the lenses of rural communities here an approach to examine how were the different disasters experiences, what lesson they learnt and what are their present disaster associated problems and stakeholder’s networks they rely on to enhance their resilience. Qualitative data were collected through participatory rapid rural appraisal (100–150 persons), field observation, 12 focus group discussions (25–40 people/FGD), and key informant interviews (25 people) in four southwestern coastal districts and nine coastal villages of Bangladesh. Results showed that since long back to date drinking water crisis, poor roads, poverty, poor sanitation, and health problems are the main identified disaster-associated problems. After learning lessons from previous disaster experiences, the community people have improved and changed their practices mainly by storing emergency foods, house construction, and increasing disaster awareness. However, the coastal communities are combating with the problems that have both direct and indirect association with poor infrastructures. Therefore, the coastal communities urge and sketched for a better stakeholders’ supports and networks to minimize their problems and thus to enhance communities’ disaster resilience.

GENETIC VARIABILITY ASSESSMENT OF Sonneratia apetala (BUCH. -HAM.) IN THE SUNDARBANS OF BANGLADESH

Abstract Sundarbans is the single largest tract of natural mangrove forest in the world, which is situated in the south western coast of Bangladesh. This forest defends the south-western coastal region of the country from natural calamities, like cyclones, flood, tidal surges, tsunami etc. Sundarbans is the natural habitat for many mangrove plants. Sonneratia apetala exists in the low saline zone (LS), medium saline zone (MS) and in the high saline zone (HS) as a pioneer tree species of the Sundarbans. Genetic variability of S. apetala in these three saline zones were examined through the adoption of RAPD-PCR molecular marker. The expected heterozygosity of S. apetala in MS and HS (0.75±0.05 and 0.76±0.06, respectively) was greater than that of LS (0.60±0.13). Again, the average gene diversity over loci of this species in the MS and HS (0.59±0.37 and 0.62±0.38, respectively) was greater than that of LS (0.51±0.32). The greater heterozygosity and genetic diversity of S. apetala establishing in the MS and HS are the causes of its higher salt adaptability than that of growing in the LS in the Sundarbans. Due to higher genetic diversity and salt adaptability, S. apetala could persist in the increasing salinities in the Sundarbans. Moreover, S. apetala seedlings derived from the MS and HS zones of the Sundarbans can be planted in the high saline substrates in the coastal regions of Bangladesh, hence got added advantages for the coastal afforestation programs of Bangladesh.

INTEGRATED PRAWN-AGRICULTURE GHER FARMING SYSTEM IN BAGERHAT, BANGLADESH

Freshwater prawn farming has become an important component in the livelihood of marginal farmers in the freshwater interface of Southwestern coastal Bangladesh. This prawn farming has been integrated with rice and/or vegetable either simultaneously or sequentially. In an attempt to assess the status of integrated prawn-agriculture gher farming in the area, 20 farms at Fakirhat Thana, Bagerhat were surveyed during August-October, 2005. Farmers were interviewed with questionnaire on the production and economics of such integrated farms. Stocking of prawn PL was done at the densities 0.5 to 2.0 PL m-2 during February-March in simultaneous culture and at the densities 3.0 to 7.0 PL m-2 during June-July in sequential system. This integrated prawn farming has beneficial impact on the income of the farmers. Net profit was calculated to be Tk 20,395 ha-1 from a cycle (5-6 months) of simultaneous culture and Tk 35,457 ha-1 from sequential system, and Tk 127,000 ha-1 from rice + prawn + vegetable farming.

Effect of Seedling Age on Growth and Yield of Local Aman Rice Varieties in the Low Land Area of Southwestern Coastal Bangladesh

Suitable variety and optimum seedling age are important agronomic decisions for better productivity of rice particularly in the low land area. A field experiment was conducted at the experiment field of Agrotechnology Discipline, Khulna University, Khulna, Bangladesh during aman season (monsoon) to investigate the effect of seedling age on growth, yield attributes and yield of different local aman rice varieties in the coastal low land area of southwestern Bangladesh. Four different seedling ages (15, 30, 45 and 60-days old) and three local rice varieties (Ranisalute, Jatai balam and Basful balam) were used as experimental treatments. The experiment was arranged in a factorial randomized complete block design and replicated thrice. Earlier age seedling (15 days) substantially influenced the growth parameters but yield attributes and yield were significantly higher with 30-days old seedlings yet no significant variation with 45-days old seedling. 30-days old seedling produced 8-32% more grain yield than other seedling ages. Among the varieties, the highest plant height, yield components and yield were achieved from Ranisalute yet the yield variation was only 3-5%. From the findings of this experiment, it can be concluded that Ranisalute variety with the use of 30-days old seedling is better for low land area of southwestern coastal Bangladesh.

Assessment of household-level adaptation strategies to water stress in southwestern coastal Bangladesh: a counter-factual analysis

AbstractDespite the growing emphasis and global initiatives to ensure safe drinking water and sanitation for all (Sustainable Development Goal 6), households in coastal areas are at risk of growing water stress across the globe. However, little is known about households' adaptation strategies to water stress in coastal areas. This study explores the determinants and impacts of adaptation strategies to household-level water stress (both drinking and non-drinking), considering the behaviors of adopters and non-adopters in the southwestern coastal area of Bangladesh. We applied an endogenous switching regression model by analyzing questionnaire survey datasets (n=502) to estimate the effect of adopting adaptation strategies on household-level water stress in four saline-prone coastal sub-districts of Bangladesh. Results reveal six commonly-practiced adaptation strategies: reducing vegetable production, reducing livestock production, paying more to access water, increasing time for water collection, preserving water, and using reservoirs to collect water. Determinants such as migration, support from government and non-government agencies, age, gender, literacy, occupation, income, access to tube wells, and distance from drinking water sources play a significant role in adopting adaptation strategies. Results from the endogenous switching regression model denote that adopting all six adaptation strategies appears to significantly reduce household-level water stress. Through counter-factual analysis, results demonstrate that, on average, households that did not adopt adaptation strategies would have encountered less water stress if they had. Therefore, determinants that stimulate adaptation strategies will indirectly reduce household water stress.

Determinants of households' livelihood vulnerability due to climate induced disaster in southwest coastal region of Bangladesh

Climate-related disasters have a severe impact on the livelihoods of people in south-western coastal Bangladesh, and the adaptive capacity is linked to this. However, this subject has not received any thorough attention. This study therefore identified the adaptive capacity indicators that affect the livelihood vulnerability to climate-induced disasters in the three unions (Dakshin Dedkashi, Bagali, and Koyra) of Koyra Upazila (sub-district) in the Khulna district (a climate-vulnerable southwest coastal region) of Bangladesh. We surveyed 300 households from the three unions using an interview schedule. The data were analyzed by using an ordered logistic regression. Gender and education of household heads, presence of dependents, family members working in different communities, crop growing, agricultural activities as the primary source of income, access to support from relatives or friends, access to local government services, and membership in community-based social organizations were identified as the significant indicators of adaptive capacity that determine vulnerability in this study. A partnership between government agencies and the community might lead to new perspectives on climate risk mitigation measures; the cost-effective adoption of innovative adaptation solutions; and social inclusion and empowerment in terms of livelihood opportunities.

Conditions for participation of marginalized households in shrimp value chains of the coastal region of Bangladesh

Although shrimp aquaculture generates considerable employment opportunities at different levels, marginalized households are not necessarily able to participate in shrimp value chains due to lack of land and access to other required resources. This study aims to investigate the conditions and determinants of marginalized households' participation in shrimp value chain using both qualitative and quantitative data obtained from 270 households in South-western coastal Bangladesh. We find that marginalized households are engaged in shrimp value chains mostly as labourers. Both the participant and non-participant marginalized households show their keen interest to become shrimp farmers. The study shows that financing, leasing land, attending training for technical knowledge, self-initiative and mental strength are the major conditions for becoming shrimp farmers. The results confirm some previous findings that household income, gender, larger family size with better access to market and required capital are the determinants of participation in shrimp value chain activities. Those who participate in shrimp value chain as respective actors have higher monthly household income than those who do not participate. They are mostly male and they have larger family size than non-participants.