216
From the figures (Fig. 12.4), it can be observed that Ghoramara Island is fast
shrinking in size and has stood at 3.64 km
2
in 2020 from 5.02 km
2
in 2001. From
1981 to 2016, population growth rate of Ghoramara decreased, which indicates
population from Ghoramara is still moving out from their place of origin due to
climate change, sea level rise, erosion and loss of land, all occurring at an increasing
rate. Kamalpur, Manasadwip and Bankimnagar are the most important resettlement
colonies that started since 1970, in phases. Another colony is located in Beguakhali,
situated at the southern edge of the Sagar Island as a small resettlement programme
at Panchayat level (locally elected rural administrative body). About 15% of the
population who had their permanent resident in Ghoramara were displaced during
the year 1981 and 1991 (GoI 2001; 2011b). Settlement records of the Government
of West Bengal confirmed, in 1995, that of the 327 homeless families from
Ghoramara Island, only 192 could be rehabilitated in Jibantala resettlement facilities. From 2011 to 2016, the percentage was much higher than the previous years,
and it reached to 40% out of the total population who were residing over there
(Fig. 12.5).
It was very unfortunate to listen to the respondents that no government assistance
including flood shelter was available for any natural calamity or the recurrent flood
events for the surveyed char dwellers of Gitaldaha. Although a few cyclone shelters
are available in Ghoramara, most of these are either not accessible or are very poorly
maintained. The growing trends of displaced population since 1981 from both the
study areas indicate that the places of residence of the local people over the years
are no longer suitable for living. People have either shifted to any nearest higher
ground on a temporary basis, as in Gitaldaha, or have completely shifted to a
Fig. 12.4 (a) 2006, (b) 2012, (c) 2018. (Image Source: Google Earth Pro 7.3.2.5776. 21.914916°N
88.122602°E. Maxar Technologies)
A. Haldar et al.
From the figures (Fig. 12.4), it can be observed that Ghoramara Island is fast
shrinking in size and has stood at 3.64 km
2
in 2020 from 5.02 km
2
in 2001. From
1981 to 2016, population growth rate of Ghoramara decreased, which indicates
population from Ghoramara is still moving out from their place of origin due to
climate change, sea level rise, erosion and loss of land, all occurring at an increasing
rate. Kamalpur, Manasadwip and Bankimnagar are the most important resettlement
colonies that started since 1970, in phases. Another colony is located in Beguakhali,
situated at the southern edge of the Sagar Island as a small resettlement programme
at Panchayat level (locally elected rural administrative body). About 15% of the
population who had their permanent resident in Ghoramara were displaced during
the year 1981 and 1991 (GoI 2001; 2011b). Settlement records of the Government
of West Bengal confirmed, in 1995, that of the 327 homeless families from
Ghoramara Island, only 192 could be rehabilitated in Jibantala resettlement facilities. From 2011 to 2016, the percentage was much higher than the previous years,
and it reached to 40% out of the total population who were residing over there
(Fig. 12.5).
It was very unfortunate to listen to the respondents that no government assistance
including flood shelter was available for any natural calamity or the recurrent flood
events for the surveyed char dwellers of Gitaldaha. Although a few cyclone shelters
are available in Ghoramara, most of these are either not accessible or are very poorly
maintained. The growing trends of displaced population since 1981 from both the
study areas indicate that the places of residence of the local people over the years
are no longer suitable for living. People have either shifted to any nearest higher
ground on a temporary basis, as in Gitaldaha, or have completely shifted to a
Fig. 12.4 (a) 2006, (b) 2012, (c) 2018. (Image Source: Google Earth Pro 7.3.2.5776. 21.914916°N
88.122602°E. Maxar Technologies)
A. Haldar et al.