Moderate adaptation was observed in Canning I, Canning II, Haroa,
Sandeshkhali-I, Sandeshkhali-II, Hasnabad, and Minakhan blocks. These blocks
are located in the northern part and away from the coast. A low level of adaptation
was found in the Mathurapur I, Mathurapur II, Jaynagar I, and Jaynagar II blocks.
These blocks are well connected with mainland and near to Kolkata city (Fig. 5.11).
As the coastal blocks are very frequently highly susceptible to different natural
hazard events, the adaptation strategies of these households are much higher than
in the other blocks. The households of these blocks are practicing different adaptation strategies than the households situated in the upper part of the Reserve.
The analysis revealed that of 14 adaptive measures, nearly 11 adaptation strategies, namely, shifting to cyclone center, preparing cyclone-resilient structures,
improving riverbanks, construction of home with higher foundation, mangrove
replantation, change in cropping patterns, crop diversification, adapting new farming
techniques, increased embankment height, digging pond, and liming were most
often adopted by the sampled households. These measures are somewhat consistent
and to some extent helped in lessening the impacts of climate change-induced
extreme weather events. Thus, the adaptation strategies should be prioritized based
on vulnerable people and places. The policies should be formulated to uplift the
socioeconomic status of the affected communities in the SBR. Coastal management
practices should be consistent to address the impacts of climate change, salinity,
inundation, and changes in economic activities. Livelihood diversification and
government employment schemes may be effective in supplementing the income
of the farming communities. Provision of basic amenities such as healthcare centers,
improved sanitation, connectivity among villages, education, awareness, and an
early warning system may provide a way forward for efficacious coastal management and help in lessening the vulnerability of the coastal communities.
Conclusion
Frequent storms, surge floods, cyclones, salinity intrusion, sea level rise, land
subsidence, waterlogging, and coastal erosion have caused significant socioeconomic vulnerability among the rural households of the SBR. Poor economy and
lack of infrastructural facilities have made SBR people more vulnerable to disasters.
Cyclone and flood have severely affected the SBR community. Agricultural and
fishing activities have declined because of salinity intrusion. The findings revealed
that the people of the SBR have relatively limited capacity to cope with climate
change-induced extreme weather events, which are likely to have persistent effects
on their livelihoods, economic activities, health, education, and social well-being. A
holistic composite adaptation index was used to understand the capacity to handle
multihazard events in each community development block of the SBR using demographic, social, economic, and infrastructural facilities. The multidimensional composite index developed here within the framework of PCA provided a better picture
of economic, social, cultural, and related multihazard adaptation strategies. The
5 Evaluating Adaptation Strategies to Coastal Multihazards in Sundarban. . .
119
Sandeshkhali-I, Sandeshkhali-II, Hasnabad, and Minakhan blocks. These blocks
are located in the northern part and away from the coast. A low level of adaptation
was found in the Mathurapur I, Mathurapur II, Jaynagar I, and Jaynagar II blocks.
These blocks are well connected with mainland and near to Kolkata city (Fig. 5.11).
As the coastal blocks are very frequently highly susceptible to different natural
hazard events, the adaptation strategies of these households are much higher than
in the other blocks. The households of these blocks are practicing different adaptation strategies than the households situated in the upper part of the Reserve.
The analysis revealed that of 14 adaptive measures, nearly 11 adaptation strategies, namely, shifting to cyclone center, preparing cyclone-resilient structures,
improving riverbanks, construction of home with higher foundation, mangrove
replantation, change in cropping patterns, crop diversification, adapting new farming
techniques, increased embankment height, digging pond, and liming were most
often adopted by the sampled households. These measures are somewhat consistent
and to some extent helped in lessening the impacts of climate change-induced
extreme weather events. Thus, the adaptation strategies should be prioritized based
on vulnerable people and places. The policies should be formulated to uplift the
socioeconomic status of the affected communities in the SBR. Coastal management
practices should be consistent to address the impacts of climate change, salinity,
inundation, and changes in economic activities. Livelihood diversification and
government employment schemes may be effective in supplementing the income
of the farming communities. Provision of basic amenities such as healthcare centers,
improved sanitation, connectivity among villages, education, awareness, and an
early warning system may provide a way forward for efficacious coastal management and help in lessening the vulnerability of the coastal communities.
Conclusion
Frequent storms, surge floods, cyclones, salinity intrusion, sea level rise, land
subsidence, waterlogging, and coastal erosion have caused significant socioeconomic vulnerability among the rural households of the SBR. Poor economy and
lack of infrastructural facilities have made SBR people more vulnerable to disasters.
Cyclone and flood have severely affected the SBR community. Agricultural and
fishing activities have declined because of salinity intrusion. The findings revealed
that the people of the SBR have relatively limited capacity to cope with climate
change-induced extreme weather events, which are likely to have persistent effects
on their livelihoods, economic activities, health, education, and social well-being. A
holistic composite adaptation index was used to understand the capacity to handle
multihazard events in each community development block of the SBR using demographic, social, economic, and infrastructural facilities. The multidimensional composite index developed here within the framework of PCA provided a better picture
of economic, social, cultural, and related multihazard adaptation strategies. The
5 Evaluating Adaptation Strategies to Coastal Multihazards in Sundarban. . .
119