TITLE:
Adaptation Strategy with Climate Induced Salinity Disaster in the Coastal Area of Bangladesh
AUTHORS:
Md. Oliur Rahman, Abul Kalam Mohammed Azad Rahman
KEYWORDS:
Adaptation, Climate Change, Salinity
JOURNAL NAME:
American Journal of Climate Change,
Vol.11 No.4,
November
21,
2022
ABSTRACT: This study examined explanatory responses to saline-water intrusion in the coastal areas of Bangladesh which are renowned for providing ecological and livelihood services. The goal of this study is to look at the different adaption strategies which coastal people have been using to deal with the growing salty water incursion. To this end, the researchers conducted a survey on 100 (one hundred) coastal people (Female 37% & Male 63%) chosen at a random basis from two unions (the lowest tier of local government) namely Perikhali union of Rampal upazila under Bagerhat district and Banishanta union of Dacope upazila under Khulna District at the southwest coast of Bangladesh. Agriculture (30%) and fisheries (27%) were the main livelihoods of the respondents. While looking at their existing problems due to salinity, it is seen that around 65% people are to move 3 - 5 (three to five) kilometres to get water access, low yield from agriculture (47%) and conversion of agricultural land (25%), acute crisis of grazing land (50%), damaged housing of cattle (30%) and fisheries (92%) are being affected due to salinity. Along with the impact, locals also have adaptation like seasonal water storage (31%), desalination (30%) and rainwater harvesting (26%) for water related impact. For agriculture, farmers are rotating crops (32%), cultivating saline tolerant varieties and others have switched from rice cultivation to other crops (30%) and cultivating saline tolerant variety (32%). In livestock, farmers are using better management practices (39%) followed by complete shift of livestock rearing (20%) to other businesses. Shifting from freshwater fish to marine water fish and crab/prawn cultivation (38%) found the most adaptation practices by the communities. For long term resilience to salinity induced disaster, collection of safe water (93%), quality seed (57%), disease control (47%) in livestock and quality hatchlings are the main barriers identified by the communities. For strengthening the current adaptation practices, rainwater harvesting (41%), household filtering of water (34%), ensuring of quality seeds (67%) and interest free loan to women through local NGOs have been stressed by the communities, local government officials as well as civil societies. Changes in land use patterns, use of contemporary technologies in agriculture, crop diversification, growing saline tolerant crops, income sources diversification, cultivating of saline tolerant fishes, utilization of savings, and rainwater harvesting are all prevalent adaptation strategies in the studied area. Moreover, to effectively address salinity in the coastal area of Bangladesh, the study also recommends increasing budget allocation for saline-water intrusion adaptation in the targeted institutions, staff capacity enhancement in water salinity monitoring, and provision of sophisticated equipment and technology.