Freshwater dependent livelihood assessment of coastal households in the southwest of Bangladesh

Abstract

A crisis in freshwater supplies is now one of the major problems threatening the livelihoods of people living in the coastal regions of Bangladesh. This scarcity of freshwater is inextricably linked to people’s occupations and various forms of capital. This phenomenon intensifies the risk and vulnerability of households and determines their position and power dynamics with reference to caste, religion, community standing and social status. This study used the livelihood assessment index (LAI) to evaluate five livelihood capitals and current livelihood strategies of three purposefully selected coastal regions of Bangladesh. In total, 338 respondents were selected based on simple random sampling method. They were proportionately distributed through multistage samplings selected from Bagerhat, Khulna and Satkhira Districts named, respectively, shoreline (Rajoir), interim (Gangarampur) and inland (Ganapatipur). Data were collected through a semi-structured self-administered questionnaire where (sub)indicators (52/29) were adapted from previous studies and analyzed using SPSS. The study revealed definitive human and natural trends (shoreline>interim>inland). Physical, social and financial capital indices were defined as: inland>interim>shoreline; interim>inland>shoreline; interim>shoreline = inland, respectively. The result found that human capital indicators, quality of education (.472) and water crisis experience (.647) were higher in the shoreline area than the interim and the inland. Natural capital indicators, freshwater availability (.342), fertility of agricultural land (.663), water sufficiency (.334) and access to open sanctuary (.777) were also higher in the shoreline area. LAI highlighted a tendency to increase (.323 < .342 < .344) from the shoreline to the inland area and reported as poor (shoreline) and moderate (interim and inland). The respondents employed different livelihood strategies such as changing occupations over time, changing their agriculture or farming patterns, harvesting rainwater, and increasing their dependence on surface water. Finally, the findings of this research will benefit the households, policymakers and development organizations to formulate policies and projects along the entire coastal regions of Bangladesh.