Understanding River Bank Erosion in Bangladesh

Inhaltsverzeichnis

1. Frontmatter

2. Chapter 1. Riverbank Erosion in Bangladesh: Research Context and Nature of Inquiry

   Marzina Begum

   Abstract

   Riverbank erosion has a negative impact on many countries worldwide, resulting in the loss of land, infrastructure, food supplies, and biodiversity, necessitating the displacement of populations. Riverbank erosion is a frequent occurrence in low-lying deltaic countries, including Bangladesh. River bank erosion is the most detrimental natural disaster, causing significant damage to both the population and their assets. Being a highly erosion prone area, riverbank erosion has disastrous effects on people’s livelihood over the time in Sirajganj district which is located along the bank of Jamuna River. However, millions of people depend on the Jamuna river system in Bangladesh for their everyday needs. This chapter focuses on analyzing the patterns and risks and vulnerabilities of people’s livelihood due to riverbank erosion in Bangladesh. This chapter will also provide a justification for the research methodology used in this book.

3. Chapter 2. Riverbank Erosion: Operationalizing the Risks and Vulnerability

   Marzina Begum

   Abstract

   Riverbank erosion is a multifaceted and dynamic phenomenon that presents considerable hazards to communities and infrastructure adjacent to river bank. This chapter defines and applies the main ideas of the theoretical investigation and examines in a critical manner about the patterns of livelihood risks and vulnerabilities of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) caused by riverbank erosion in Bangladesh. This chapter consists of a thorough literature review that is relevant to the research context, and primarily aims to identify and discuss essential concepts used in the study. The chapter also examines the theoretical models and frameworks that are closely linked, and aims to establish a conceptual framework that may serve as the guiding principle for the current study and provide an explanation of the framework.

4. Chapter 3. Riverbank Erosion in Bangladesh: Livelihood Risks and Vulnerability Trend and Patterns

   Marzina Begum

   Abstract

   A critical concern is riverbank erosion, which has significant economic and livelihood consequences for the impacted populations in Bangladesh. This chapter thoroughly explores the various patterns of risks and vulnerabilities in the livelihoods of IDPs in Bangladesh. The chapter sought to acquire knowledge from previous researchers who contributed to the identification of livelihood vulnerabilities, the exposure of sustainable livelihood adaption approaches, and the risk and vulnerability assessment. Furthermore, the author provided a detailed picture of vulnerability mapping using data obtained from field investigation, following the approaches established by earlier researchers and scholars and the guiding principles of the IPCC. However, this study is founded on the primary data collection in the most river bank erosion-prone areas of Sirajganj district in Bangladesh. This was collected through the carefully selected direct interview of 66 individuals from 54 families, including 20 households from urban slums in Dhaka (railway station slums that are impacted by river bank erosion), FGDs, KIIS and case stories and the detailed justification is provided in the chapter one.

5. Chapter 4. Riverbank Erosion in Bangladesh: Impacts on Physical and Societal Vulnerabilities

   Marzina Begum

   Abstract

   Bangladesh suffers from a lack of comprehensive national data, precise figures categorized by villages, union or sub-district, and trends regarding people’s displacement. However, the primary data collection in the most river bank erosion-prone areas of Sirajganj district in Bangladesh is the foundation of this study. This was carried out by conducting a meticulously selected direct interview with 66 individuals from 54 families, including 20 households from urban slums in Dhaka (railway station slums that are affected by river bank erosion), FGDs, KIIS, and case studies. The detailed justification is provided in chapter one. However, this chapter examines the extent to which various issues of risk and vulnerability affect socioeconomically underprivileged IDPs due to riverbank erosion-prone in Bangladesh.

6. Chapter 5. Avoidance of Riverbank Erosion in Bangladesh: Capacity and Performance

   Marzina Begum

   Abstract

   Bangladesh is mostly an agriculture-based country that is subject to natural calamities, making riverbank erosion worse. Historically, river bank erosion directly and indirectly affects more than one million individuals each year, most of whom become landless along the river. Despite riverbank erosion’s harmful effects on livelihood, no significant efforts have been made to reduce it. People displaced by riverbank erosion do not receive a significant response to their adaptation measures. However, this chapter have drawn the findings that the displaced population receives no significant support from the GoB in securing livelihood, especially in reconstructing homes or opportunities in income generation. A meticulously selected direct interview was conducted with 66 individuals from 54 families, including 20 households from urban slums in Dhaka, FGDs, KIIS, and case studies. Detailed justification of data collection is provided in chapter one.

7. Chapter 6. Conclusion: Riverbank Erosion Vulnerabilities and Its Coping Strategies in Bangladesh

   Marzina Begum

   Abstract

   The concluding chapter highlights the main findings of the study and addressing the deficiencies in the current support programs for the affected households due to river bank erosion in Sirajganj district. This study has revealed the complex effects of riverbank erosion on the livelihoods of communities in Bangladesh, where rivers significantly influence both the landscape and the socio-economic structure. This study explore the close connection between environmental change and social vulnerability, demonstrating how erosion impacts individuals and communities variably according to their socio-economic status, gender, and geographical location. In Bangladesh, it is also crucial to include the marginalized voices of those affected by river bank erosion in governance processes. This may be achieved by their active involvement and capacity building. By adopting a bottom-up approach, Bangladesh can effectively address the SDGs. However, the preceding chapter has drawn the findings from a deliberately selected interview with 66 individuals from 54 families, including 20 households from urban slums in Dhaka, FGDs, KIIS, and case studies. Detailed justification of data collection is provided in Chap. 1. The findings show that the displaced population due to erosion along the river receives no significant support in securing livelihood, especially in reconstructing homes and/or opportunities in income generation.