Abstract
Bangladesh faces increasing frequency and severity of environmental disasters, largely driven by climate change. According to the Household Income and Expenditure Survey (HIES, 2022), one-third of the population experienced displacement due to flooding and loss of arable land, while 6.5% of rural coastal residents migrated to urban areas. At the global level, the World Bank (2021) projects that climate change could displace 216 million people by 2050. The Sundarbans, the world’s largest mangrove forest, is particularly at risk, as climate change and development pressures threaten biodiversity and the livelihoods of forest-dependent communities. While prior research has explored broader climate change impacts on coastal areas, little is known about how environmental degradation specifically affects forest-dependent groups in terms of livelihood vulnerability, health risks, and displacement. This study addresses this gap by examining patterns of environmental degradation in the Sundarbans, displacement trends and causes, coping strategies, and access to social protection services among forest-dependent communities. Using a mixed-methods approach, the study combines quantitative surveys (N=390) with qualitative interviews (N=32), including in-depth (N=22) and key informant interviews (N=10). The study population includes the Munda, fishing, and Maowali (beekeeping) communities, as well as 10 recently migrated individuals from nearby cities to capture displacement drivers and livelihood challenges. Findings offer evidence to inform policies aimed at strengthening resilience and improving social protection mechanisms for these vulnerable communities.
Presenters
Mumita TanjeelaAssociate Professor, Sociology, East West University, Dhaka, Bangladesh, Dhaka zila, Bangladesh
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
Human Impacts and Responsibility
KEYWORDS
Climate Change, Displacement, Livelihood Vulnerability, Sundarbans, Social Protection, Bangladesh
