Chandan Surabhi Das
West Bengal State University, India
Title: A framework for resilience in changing climate: Insights from Sundarban, India
Biography
Biography: Chandan Surabhi Das
Abstract
The concept of resilience in climate change refers to a capacity to adapt to changing climatic conditions as well as persistent stresses by responding effectively. The Sundarban, an area in India that endures flooding, cyclonic storms, salinization of soil, and sea level rise, has been undermined by these factors over the past century. Poverty, malnutrition, and an aging population exacerbate the vulnerability of this region. A single livelihood practice in Sundarban, agriculture, depends heavily on limited natural resources, including land, water, and energy. This study includes the last habited island (Gosaba block), which is surrounded by Sundarban Reserve Forest on three sides. I conducted a Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) using the Focus Group Discussion (FGD) method from September 2020 to April 2021 with village heads, panchayat members, and forest development committee members to gather data on the impact of climate change on their livelihood, income, fishing practices, and socioeconomic conditions. The salinity of fringe regions is steadily rising, and this has adverse effects on crops, soils, water supplies and biodiversity. In the study, 4 Pillars for Sustainable Socioeconomic Development were identified, including vulnerability reduction, poverty reduction, biodiversity conservation, and institutional change. In the low lying forest dependent coastal areas like Sundarban, the Livelihood Asset Status Tracking (LAST) method will attempt to measure the changes in five capital asset groups (social, financial, human, physical, and natural assets) in order to suggest climate resilient sustainable livelihoods.
Keywords: Resilience, Climate change, Sundarban, Sustainable development, LAST method.