Impact of Climate Change on Local Communities of Southern Bengal: A Case Study in Dhangmari Village
- Abstract –
The settlement of Dhangmari is located outside the polder 33 embankment in Dacope, Khulna, Bangladesh. The settlement now resembles a tiny island with the powerful Posur River flowing through the west and the relatively small Dhangmari River next to the Sunderban reserve forest in the east. Approximately 80% of the hamlet's land has already been eroded, and the village is currently under danger of being eroded from both sides of rivers. Reportedly, the village's river erosion is exacerbated by the tidal surges' with increased height as a result of climate change. The 1960s-era polder system that formerly safeguarded the community was already in ruins. The century-old community is currently vulnerable to cyclones, tidal surges, and other natural disasters.
Community is experiencing that cyclones are more frequent, tidal surges with more height which penetrates in the locality while agricultural production, diversity of fishes, wild life, birds, plants and trees are declining due to increasing salinity. All of the residents of Dhangmari village currently reside in a small, crowded area without access to basic civic amenities like clean water, sanitary facilities, housing, education, healthcare, and opportunities for employment. The lack of drinkable water to meet family demands for cleanliness and cleaning is a severe concern, especially for women. Again, the lack of fresh water and rising salinity are causing various water-borne illnesses and skin issues. The community is constantly in danger of being evicted from their ancestral land and becoming a climate refugee, just like millions of others.