VULNERABILITY, RISK PERCEPTION, AND LIVELIHOOD STRATEGIES AMONG RIVERSIDE COMMUNITIES OF RAMGATI UPAZILA IN BANGLADESH: THE ROLE OF EMBANKMENT

ECU Author/Contributor (non-ECU co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)

Mizanur Rahman (Creator)

Institution

East Carolina University (ECU )

Web Site: http://www.ecu.edu/lib/

Abstract: Due to its geographical location and socioeconomic conditions, the country of Bangladesh in vulnerable to the hazard of riverbank erosion, which poses a significant threat to homes, property and livelihoods. In recent years, the government of Bangladesh has intensified efforts to mitigate riverbank erosion by hardening shorelines, including the building of concrete revetments, but the local dynamics of these interventions is not well-documented. This thesis presents results from a study of risk perception and livelihood adaption following the construction of a 3.5 kilometer concrete revetment in the administrative district of Ramgati in the lower Meghna River basin of Bangladesh. Drawing on data from a community survey (n=381), as well as interviews (n=24) with key informants and local households, this research has three principle aims: first, to document the socio-economic conditions of local residents and their vulnerability to the impacts of riverbank erosion; second, to identify local adaptation responses against riverbank erosion in Ramgati, including the factors leading to the construction of the revetment; and third, to examine the changing livelihood patterns and risk perceptions of Ramgati residents in the context of the newly-built revetment. To do so, the study assessed the association between location and socioeconomic status and perceptions and livelihood responses, and compared the views of households now protected by the revetment and those who live in areas still subject to riverbank erosion. This study concludes that households in Ramgati are vulnerable to riverbank erosion due to their dependence on primary occupations. Riverbank erosion has led to the loss of houses and lands, and has had a negative impact on the socioeconomic development of the Ramgati area. Results from this study show that the recently built revetment has had a positive impact on local livelihoods and has altered the risk perception of residents. Households protected by the revetment report that they are doing well in their occupations and are less worried about riverbank erosion than households that remain unprotected.

Additional Information

Publication

Thesis

Language: English

Date: 2020

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