experienced along the coasts of West Bengal and the adjoining areas of Bangladesh.
In 2015 cyclone Komen was accompanied by a storm surge of 1–2 m (3.3–6.6 ft)
that affected the Sundarban in Bangladesh. In 2019 two important tropical cyclones
occurred in the Bengal delta. The Bulbul cyclone (2019) was about 1–2 m above
astronomical tide levels and inundated low-lying areas of South and North
24 Parganas. The maximum extent of inundation was about 2 km over South and
North 24 Parganas. Cyclone Fani, which hit Odisha in May 2019, killed more than
70 people in Odisha and West Bengal (Sahana et al. 2021).
The Sundarban Biosphere Reserve (SBR) has a population of 4.37 million, with a
population density of 975 persons/km
2 (Census of India 2011). Inadequate
resources, poverty, and remoteness are major challenges for the Sundarban community. Nearly 43.5% of the population lives below the poverty line. Most of the islands
of the SBR have low infrastructural facilities and inadequate amenities. The people
are highly dependent on the forests. Most of the population resides in rural areas and
depends on coastal agriculture and fisheries.
Preparation of Database
The data for assessing adaptation capacity and strategies for coping with multiple
hazards were drawn from a comprehensive survey of 570 households in the study
area during 2018–2019. The sample design adopted for the study had two stages.
The first stage consisted of selection of the villages from SBR. From every block (the
study area spreads over 19 blocks), 2 villages (1 from near to the coast/riverside and
1 away from the coast/riverside) were selected, so that 38 villages were selected. The
second stage consisted of selecting households from these 38 villages. From every
village, 15 households were selected randomly so that 570 households were selected
from the study area. The respondents for the household survey were the heads of the
households. Discussion was also held with the heads of the Panchayat (the local
parliament). A questionnaire was designed to collect the relevant information
regarding adaptation strategies. Sufficient care was taken to make the questionnaire
communicable to the respondents. Responses on adaptation strategies opted for
extreme climate events and economic activities were gathered from the sampled
households. Responses on coping mechanisms adopted during disasters were also
collected from these households. All the collected responses on adaptation strategies
were authenticated by the Gram Pradhan (the Head of the village).
Analytical Framework for Adaptation Strategies
Understanding responses in anticipation of disasters is essential to lessen the degree
of vulnerability. It is imperative to judge the responses of the individual households
regarding their strategies to cope with the situation in any hazard-prone region to
104
M. Sahana et al.
In 2015 cyclone Komen was accompanied by a storm surge of 1–2 m (3.3–6.6 ft)
that affected the Sundarban in Bangladesh. In 2019 two important tropical cyclones
occurred in the Bengal delta. The Bulbul cyclone (2019) was about 1–2 m above
astronomical tide levels and inundated low-lying areas of South and North
24 Parganas. The maximum extent of inundation was about 2 km over South and
North 24 Parganas. Cyclone Fani, which hit Odisha in May 2019, killed more than
70 people in Odisha and West Bengal (Sahana et al. 2021).
The Sundarban Biosphere Reserve (SBR) has a population of 4.37 million, with a
population density of 975 persons/km
2 (Census of India 2011). Inadequate
resources, poverty, and remoteness are major challenges for the Sundarban community. Nearly 43.5% of the population lives below the poverty line. Most of the islands
of the SBR have low infrastructural facilities and inadequate amenities. The people
are highly dependent on the forests. Most of the population resides in rural areas and
depends on coastal agriculture and fisheries.
Preparation of Database
The data for assessing adaptation capacity and strategies for coping with multiple
hazards were drawn from a comprehensive survey of 570 households in the study
area during 2018–2019. The sample design adopted for the study had two stages.
The first stage consisted of selection of the villages from SBR. From every block (the
study area spreads over 19 blocks), 2 villages (1 from near to the coast/riverside and
1 away from the coast/riverside) were selected, so that 38 villages were selected. The
second stage consisted of selecting households from these 38 villages. From every
village, 15 households were selected randomly so that 570 households were selected
from the study area. The respondents for the household survey were the heads of the
households. Discussion was also held with the heads of the Panchayat (the local
parliament). A questionnaire was designed to collect the relevant information
regarding adaptation strategies. Sufficient care was taken to make the questionnaire
communicable to the respondents. Responses on adaptation strategies opted for
extreme climate events and economic activities were gathered from the sampled
households. Responses on coping mechanisms adopted during disasters were also
collected from these households. All the collected responses on adaptation strategies
were authenticated by the Gram Pradhan (the Head of the village).
Analytical Framework for Adaptation Strategies
Understanding responses in anticipation of disasters is essential to lessen the degree
of vulnerability. It is imperative to judge the responses of the individual households
regarding their strategies to cope with the situation in any hazard-prone region to
104
M. Sahana et al.