Drought adaptation measures and their effectiveness at Barind Tract in northwest Bangladesh: a perception study

Md. Saiful Islam (), Md. Zakir Hossain and Md. Bahuddin Sikder
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Md. Saiful Islam: Shahjalal University of Science and Technology
Md. Zakir Hossain: Shahjalal University of Science and Technology
Md. Bahuddin Sikder: Shahjalal University of Science and Technology

Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, 2019, vol. 97, issue 3, No 15, 1253-1276

Abstract: Abstract Drought is a natural calamity frequently occurs at Barind Tract in northwest Bangladesh and affects both the human and natural life. An initiative has been taken to investigate the drought adaptation scenario practicing in Barind Tract as well as their effectiveness according to farmers’ perception. This study is mainly based on primary data collected through a structured questionnaire by surveying the farming households from ten unions of three districts in western Barind. Farmers’ perception about the effectiveness of adaptation measures has been measured using a five-point Likert scale. An indexing formula is developed to rank those measures based on their effectiveness level. The study found that several numbers of adaptation measures are practicing in Barind Tract that can be grouped into two classes: (1) adaptation measures implemented by farmers and (2) adaptation measures implemented by the Barind Multipurpose Development Authority (BMDA). Maximum measures implemented by farmers are mainly agriculture and economic activities oriented, although most of the farmers are not able to undertake proper adaptation measure by their own initiative due to lack of capacity. On the other hand, BMDA’s adaptation approaches are mainly related to development of irrigation, livelihood, food security, and environmental protection. Most of these approaches are found effective, according to farmers’ opinion. A few are found not effective mainly due to poor management and implementation. No linear relationship exists between socioeconomic characteristics of farmers and their perceptions regarding effectiveness of the measures. Exploitation of groundwater is found as the major challenge regarding future drought management. Surface water harvesting and lowering the dependency on groundwater might be the potential solution.

Keywords: Drought; Adaptation; BMDA; Barind Tract; Northwest Bangladesh (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
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DOI: 10.1007/s11069-019-03704-2

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