عنوان

Vulnerabilities and Risks of Population in the Context of Environment: A Comparative Study of Sundarban in West Bengal and Bangladesh

Number

TL57824

.Language of Text, Soundtrack etc

انگلیسی

Title Proper

Vulnerabilities and Risks of Population in the Context of Environment: A Comparative Study of Sundarban in West Bengal and Bangladesh

General Material Designation

[Thesis]

First Statement of Responsibility

Rudra, Ayan

Subsequent Statement of Responsibility

Chattopadhyay, Aparajita

Name of Publisher, Distributor, etc.

International Institute for Population Sciences University

Date of Publication, Distribution, etc.

2020

Text of Note

258 p.

Dissertation or thesis details and type of degree

Ph.D.

Body granting the degree

International Institute for Population Sciences University

Text preceding or following the note

2020

Text of Note

Introduction: - This thesis examines the magnitude of vulnerability and risk in the Sundarbans and tries to explore the differences existing in the two Sundarban deltas in the context of the environment. The Sundarban areas are situated on the coast of Bay of Bengal, and this deltaic region is shared by Bangladesh (60%) and West Bengal (40%). It holds one of the most extensive continuous mangrove forests in the world and has been recognized as an internationally famous world heritage site. This Ganga-Brahmaputra deltaic region is characterized by frequent flood, storm surge, etc. natural phenomena and unpleasant humid conditions.  Objectives: - This research offers a glimpse into the life and work of vulnerable households, the perception of local inhabitants, their existing disaster preparation, and the difference between current and older generational economy and other cultural change. In short, this study looks into the different environmental scenarios and the socio-cultural behavior of the Sundarban areas. Data and methods: - This study was carried mainly by primary data sources. According to the sampling estimation, a total of 368 households have been surveyed in eight villages of West Bengal and Bangladesh. For the purpose of the study various statistical tool has been used like: - Likert scale analysis, Graded Response technique, Principle Component Analysis, Marginal probability estimation, multinomial logistic regression, partial proportional odds model, etc. Along with the household questionnaire, some key in-depth interviews and focus group discussions in eight villages have been conducted.  Research findings: - The world's largest mangrove forest and internationally recognized protected areas provide varieties and abounded resources like fertile soil, ample fishing resource, valuable forest, and plenty of water resources. According to resource availability, the major livelihood of the indigenous people of Sundarbans is agriculture, forestry, and fishing. According to the Census 2011, it has observed this area is very much congested; the density of the Sundarban is above 700 persons per square kilometer. The whole areas of Sundarban in West Bengal and Bangladesh are dominated by Bengali culture, having almost the same cultural and social background. But the religion composition is not the same as each other, and the Hindu community is higher in West Bengal, and the Muslim religion is more in the other part. From Census 2011 of India and Bangladesh to the survey year 2016, it has observed that the sex ratio has been decreased in the Sundarbans, 944 to 940 in the Sundarban of West Bengal, and 930 to 927 in Bangladesh. The people of Sundarbans are facing a lot of challenges of poverty, marginalization, and an acute struggle against geo-climatic conditions in the context of economy and livelihood. The socio-economic situation is not uniform on both sides of Sundarban. This study shows that economic condition is very much fragile in the Sundarbans and 52% households belong to the less than 4000 INR income category in Bangladesh, whereas in 45% of dwellings are having same income in the zone of West Bengal. In the Sundarbans, it has noted that local inhabitants are giving the evidence that climate is changing over the period of time and that has come from the perception of environmental change. According to their perception, socio-economic status has negatively influenced by temperature rising. A majority of the respondents have witnessed temperature change alarmingly. In that deltaic region, 90% of respondents from West Bengal stated that drought is severe and frequent there due to temperature change. The rain-fed agriculture is the dominant occupation in the Sundarbans, where the alternative occupation is very much limited, and only 50% irrigation facility made farmers in an unsafe condition. Regarding environmental perception, the older people and those who are engaged in a primary activity like agriculture, fishing, or forestry are having environmental knowledge, and they perceived more on the environment towards change.  In the last two decade cyclone _Aila' (2009) and _Sidr' (2007) are the major disasters that occurred in the Sundarbans. The household vulnerability is found higher in the zone of Bangladesh as compared to the West Bengal, 37% and 25% respectively, as an economic loss from 2009 to 2015, due to natural hazard is found more in Bangladesh. The socio-economicpolitical risk regarding the environment is higher in Bangladesh as compared to the West Bengal. While measuring socio-economic-political risk, it has been noted that the government of Bangladesh, as well as the local NGOs in Bangladesh, are more concerned and well aware about environmental problems. While measuring socio-economic-political risk it has been noted that the government of Bangladesh as well as the local NGOs in Bangladesh are more concerned and well aware of environmental problems. Among the interviewed households, 38% and 27% of households are having no disaster preparation in West Bengal and Bangladesh respectively. In the Sundarban areas, only 31% of people can access the community-level flood shelter house as a purpose of flood preparation. Education does play a crucial role in disaster preparedness in Sundarbans. There is a positive association pound between high education and disaster preparation. The current study has discussed one of the deciding factors of an individual's choice of a profession while living in the Sundarbans. Along with increasing incomes, standards of living in households also increase. In West Bengal, it has been seen that people improved their living standards compared to the previous generations by 53%. In Bangladesh, it is 42%. Both West Bengal and Bangladesh Sundarbans are facing severe environmental change, and therefore, inhabitants are shifting from their traditional occupations. As a result of this, the usual standard of living has become much lower than it was before. People from the current generation who engage in farming activities and belong to the high-income category are the ones who are most likely to change occupation from their parental occupation. Extreme moisture and humid climate with different natural disasters have made the local people vulnerable, regarding a health condition.

Subject Term

Area planning & development

Subject Term

Forestry

Subject Term

Meteorology

Subject Term

Public administration

Subject Term

Public health

Subject Term

Public policy

Subject Term

Southeast Asian studies

Rudra, Ayan

Chattopadhyay, Aparajita

International Institute for Population Sciences University

Electronic name

p

[Thesis]

276903

a

Y