Landuse changes and associated impacts link to climate change in coastal Bangladesh

Fact:
This is a story from coastal Bangladesh which is highly vulnerable to the impact of climate
change. It has been found that in the recent years, the condition and resilience of the areas have
been threatened by natural and man-made intervention. In the beginning of the 1980s, saline
shrimp farming introduced in to this region with a view to introduce multiple culture system with
rice and boost up export industry of shrimps. Though it was initially identified as a blessing
(shrimp known as white gold) for the coastal people, but gradually large scale conversion of
agriculture land into shrimp farm has deteriorated the natural green view of the area due to high
intrusion of saline water. This has led to social disruptions and a range of conflicts, including
drinking water problems, dying of livestock and tress, reduction of local fuel-wood base and
fodder, drought, no grazing places for livestock, almost zero local production of (except shrimp)
in some areas, and resultant income discrimination and inequality.
These transitions have significantly reshaped the coastal landscape and livelihood patterns of
Bangladesh. Additional factors that have influenced these changes are population pressure,
extreme disasters and price hiking of basic commodities. Cyclone SIDR in 2007 and Cyclone
Aila in 2009 and subsequent tidal flooding extensively destroyed coastal properties and income
generating sources as well as causing prolonged water-logging. Drinking water scarcity is
considered to be one of the major problems in these regions. Decades of infiltration and seepage
of saline into groundwater and soil reduce the regeneration capacity to produce agricultural
products. Although there is inflow of money, the people have little disposable income because of
price hiking of basic commodities. Although climate change in the recent years could be
considered as one of the drivers of environmental change, the local people have very little idea
about this issue.
The ultimate impact has serious threats on the livelihoods and survivability of marginal and
landless people and community rounded on the landscape. Change of landuse has linked to
several social phenomenons. Shrimp is not considered to be labour intensive work as only people
require for its management. People who were used to be agriculture labour/day labour find it
difficult to get adequate job within their locality. Reduction of common pool resources adds the

extra burden on existing poverty and family demand to meet the basic needs. In order to meet
the demand of family, many people are migrating temporarily to the city areas for short time to
search for income generating opportunities.
My response:
As a local resident (couple of years ago), I was engaged with a local community group to aware
local people to stop shrimp farming. However, the powerful elites always act as barriers to our
initiatives. Moreover, poverty always forced the small land owner to lease their land to the big
shrimp farms. Besides, Bangladesh government actually encouraging shrimp industry as it is
third largest exports industry in Bangladesh. So local government Fisheries Department is
actually encouraging this industry.
Some NGOs are quite active in campaigns against the shrimp farming and offers alternative
livelihoods training and placement through livelihood diversification but they do have limited
funding to support the large community who are functionally landless in this region.