Livelihood vulnerability assessments and adaptation strategies to climate change: a case study in Tanguar haor, Sylhet

Abstract

Bangladesh is very prone to climate-driven hazards due to its unique geographical location, high population density, and low climate resilience. Therefore, this study addresses the livelihood vulnerabilities and adaptation strategies in response to the climate change issues based on empirical evidence from wetland communities using the livelihood vulnerability index (LVI) in Tanguar haor, located in Sylhet, Bangladesh. The finding shows that people of the study area are switching their formal livelihood activities into alternative sources. Crop diversification, homestead gardening, erosion proofing, and cage aquaculture are commonly used by the studied communities to adapt to climate change impacts. The main driver of vulnerabilities was found to be lack of education, underdeveloped infrastructures, lack of advanced health facilities, and lack of alternative livelihoods during extreme events. Therefore, people living in and around the haor region need special consideration. Overall, the study suggests that policy or institutional arrangements are required to promote the better governance system for local communities to improve their living standard so that they can achieve resilience to the impacts of climate variability and change in this area. HIGHLIGHTS Haor communities are naturally linked with seasonal climate fluctuations.; The livelihood vulnerability index of the haor communities has been focused.; Livelihoods are vulnerable to socioeconomic conditions and climate variability.; Community is dealing with disaster using their local knowledge and experiences.; Intended strategies are essential to enrich the resilience of the poor vulnerable haor communities in Bangladesh.;

Keywords

• adaptation
• bangladesh
• climate change
• haor region
• livelihoods vulnerability