Local perceptions on polder governance, waterlogging and salinity in Southwestern coastal region of Bangladesh : implications for adaptation strategies | |
| Author | Alam, Md. Shariful |
| Call Number | AIT Diss. no.NR-17-03 |
| Subject(s) | Waterlogging (Soils)--Bangladesh Water Salinization--Bangladesh |
| Note | A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Natural Resources Management, School of Environment, Resources and Development |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Series Statement | Dissertation ; no. NR-17-03 |
| Abstract | problem of too much of water in the rainy season and too little in the dry season signaling abundance and scarcity respectively, while neither is expected. Besides other problems, southern coastal districts, including Khulna, are vulnerable to waterlogging and salinity .. Polders in southern coastal ai:eas of Bangladesh play an imp01iant role in water management and governance of the country. Although polders contributed positively to agricultural production and livelihood development in Bangladesh, the present condition offers a disconsolate picture. Surface water in the rivers is brackish in most of the coastal areas. The shallow aquifers of the coastal regions as well are heavily affected by saline. The magnitude of salinity in the coastal areas, constituting nearly 30 per cent of the total cultivable land of the country, has vividly been captured by a recent study conducted by the Ministry of Agriculture. Since 1973 salinity has been increasing, propagating from coastline to further north into the mairt land, causing a real concern for the people in ge·neral, and policymakers and professionals in pa1iicular. Waterlogging is another acute problem in southw.estern Bangladesh, especially Jessore, Khulna, and Satkhira causing severe damages to livelihood of people. Waterlogging in this paii of the country has its own genesis while the upstream river Mathabhanga got separated from the river Ganges (Padma). This separation of rivers caused reduced upstream flow, which eventually contributed to siltation of the rivers flowing to the Bay of Bengal. Due to construction of polders in 60s and 70s, the water flow has been restricted to enter into the settlement areas and consequently hinders the sedimentation process inside polders. Difference in the elevation of land surface between the areas outside and inside of the polders is the main reason for differential water level, which is ultimately causing waterlogging. Apart from salinity and waterlogging, the issue of proper governance and management of water infrastructures such as maintenance of polder embankment, sluice gates and inigation canals remain major challenges for effective and sustainable water management in coastal Bangladesh. People's participation and involvement in management along with contribution to maintenance and conservation are the key areas observed that contribute for poor performance of the system. Different stakeholders including local government and water management organizations have their roles in governance and management .of polders. In this context, this research aims at analyzing the polder management issues of Bangladesh with regard to salinity and waterlogging in the southwestern coastal belt. The specific objectives of the reseai-ch are (i) to examine different types of polder governance in Bangladesh and perceptions of local people on their impacts on livelihood in the southwestern coastal region, (ii) to analyze waterlogging and salinity situation in the southwestern coastal regions of Bangladesh and their impacts on livelihood of coastal communities, (iii) to explore the adaptation strategies the people living inside the polders have adopted to cope with the problems of waterlogging and salinity, and to provide suggestions based on the findings from the mentioned objectives. To find the answers to the research questions, a concurrent mixed method of enquiry was followed. This research selected three upazillas (sub-districts; second-lowest tier of local government of Bangladesh):· Batiaghata, Dacope and Rupsha of Khulna district. Three polders, namely P- 30, P-31 and Jabusa Beel, were selected from three upazillas purposively. A total of 200 households were chosen from five unions (the lowest administrative tiers consisting of several villages) for survey following standai·dized formula for sampling. Generalized lineai·model was applied to find association between waterlogging, salinity and polder management with crop production and other factors. For qualitative analysis, multiple focus group discussions, in-depth interviews and key info1mant interviews were conducted. The research has found that the condition of embankments of polders is better compared to the status during last decade. However, sluice gates are not well functioning. It has also found that conflict exists between individual and groups involved in water management process. Besides, crop loss due to waterlogging, contribution through laboring to reduce waterlogging, and community actions against waterlogging have not been found linked with crop production. Few factors, for instance education, land ownership, number and category of occupation, are found to be affecting crop production. With regard to waterlogging, the study has found that around 50% of the households reportedly suffer from crop loss. The similar proportion of the households also delays in cropping due to waterlogging. None of the factors selected for instance, occupation and crop . damage, are independently associated with delay cropping. Adaptive approaches including monetary contribution and voluntary labor in reducing blockage in drainage system or waterlogging are noteworthy, but the community people do not value it as special measures. Although some interventions do exist, community people have identified re-excavation of khals (local name for small-sized canals) as the major strategy likely to be undertaken for adaptation to waterlogging problem. _ With regard to salinity, this research has found that household characteristics and the level of salinity have no association with the variety of rice production. However, increase in the level of education positively affects the use of saline tolerant variety. Besides, people with multiple earning sources are involved more in cultivating saline tolerant variety. Poor households hardly cultivate saline tolerant variety. Regional use of saline tolerant variety is also prominent; for example, Dacope and Rupsha residents cultivate more saline tolerant varieties than the rest. To strengthen polder management in Bangladesh, a set of policy recommendations has been made. The suggestions include among others, development of a database of common property resources within polders and a set of guidelines for its use; since polders are large in size, sub-polderization is likely to increase the effectiveness; creation of a dedicated polder repair and maintenance trust fund for sustainable polder management; involvement of agricultural extension department of the government in polder management. The research should not be generalized since different coastal areas in different districts and divisions show different features. For instance, Chittagong is mountainous and the upstream river flow in the region is higher than that of Khulna. Fmiher research on regional differences on salinity and adaptation interventions may be conducted; besides, since there exist a large informal settlement including houses and small shops on the embankment in polders in Khulna, a study on its impacts on polder management may be investigated. Temporal variations in the responses to questionnaire may be of interest to the scientific community for further research. |
| Year | 2017 |
| Corresponding Series Added Entry | Asian Institute of Technology. Dissertation ; no. NR-17-03 |
| Type | Dissertation |
| School | School of Environment, Resources, and Development (SERD) |
| Department | Department of Development and Sustainability (DDS) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Natural Resources Management (NRM) |
| Chairperson(s) | Sasaki, Nophea; |
| Examination Committee(s) | Routray, Jayant Kumar;Datta, Avishek;Shivakoti, Ganesh P.; |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | Danish International Development Agency (DANIDA)/Institute of Water Modelling (IWM), Bangladesh-AIT Fellowship; |
| Degree | Thesis (Ph.D.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2017 |