Vulnerability and Adaptation to Climate Change in Western Jamuna Basin of Bangladesh

Bangladesh, with an area of 147 thousand km2 and population of 149.78 millions, is prone to natural hazards (PHC, 2011). The specific objectives of the study were to examine the extent of climatic variations, and to analyze farming communities’ vulnerabilities and adaptations to climate change in the western Jamuna basin of Bangladesh. Assessment was made on March 2013 in Sariakandi Upazila under Bogra district. Primary data were collected through Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) and direct observation. Secondary data were collected from various publications of government agencies and NGOs. Workshop was also conducted at Upazila level to justify, validate and further improvement of the findings of village levels discussion. The major vulnerabilities were flood, river bank erosion, crisis of flood shelters, homestead erosion, shifting of housing, crisis of fodder, crisis of seedbeds, infestation to crops, riverbed siltation, lack of boats and fishing nets, and crisis of quality seeds. The major adaptation practices were construction of flood resistant housing with plinths raising, cultivation of seedlings and vegetables by using flood proofing technologies, case fish culture, rice fish culture, drilling tube wells, installation of sanitary latrines, cultivation of fodder, organized training on disaster management, arrangement of boat ambulance, establishment of tree nurseries including huge tree plantation for carbon sequestration, and arrangement of alternative livelihood activities. Farmers have poor adaptive capacities on cropping practice, livestock and fisheries including alternative livelihood aspect. To make adjustment with impacts of climate change, farmers should change their adaptive technologies.