Climate Change, Anthropogenic Stressors, and Livelihood Sustainability in the Sundarbans, Bangladesh: A Field-Based Analysis

The Sundarbans Forest is a vital mangrove ecosystem where environmental processes and human livelihoods are closely intertwined. In Bangladesh, the forests and adjacent bodies of water provide protection against coastal hazards, support a variety of flora and fauna, capture carbon and sustain communities that rely on natural resources. However, the region is also becoming increasingly vulnerable to hydro-climatic risks and stresses related to human activities. This research employs a convergent mixed-methods approach based on primary fieldwork conducted in the Bangladeshi part of the Sundarbans. It incorporated a household survey of 400 participants, 150 semi-structured interviews, six focus group discussions (FGDs) and 20 key informant interviews (KIIs). Field observations, GPS tracking and photographs were used to record local environmental and livelihood conditions. The analysis distinguishes the evidence obtained from this fieldwork from the results documented in the wider literature on the Sundarbans and coastal Bangladesh. Of the 400 households surveyed, 267 (66.8%; 95% CI: 62.1–71.4%) reported direct exposure to sudden-onset disasters, and 324 (81.0%; 95% CI: 77.2–84.8%) reported experiencing significant economic hardship due to disaster events. Additionally, 358 households (89.5%, 95% CI: 86.5-92.5%) reported having health problems related to water. These observations are cross-sectional and self-reported, so cannot establish causal relationships between climate attribution and clinically diagnosed illness. Qualitative evidence shows that environmental hazards, in addition to human-made and institutional stressors, like salinity, brackish reared aquaculture, livelihood disruption, informal high-interest loans (Dadan) and restriction in forest access are factors that affect household vulnerability and coping mechanisms. The study argues that a holistic approach of drinking water security, livelihood diversification, disaster preparedness, ecosystem-based adaptation and provision of institutional support are important to achieve sustainable livelihoods in the Bangladesh Sundarbans.

Keywords: Sundarbans; Climate Change; Anthropogenic Stressors; Livelihood Vulnerability; Water Security; Ecosystem-Based Adaptation; Coastal Governance.