Recommending Areas for Advocacy to Improve the Lives and Livelihood Issues of Haor Dwellers

Abstract

The Haor region of Bangladesh is considered to be highly vulnerable to climate change impacts for its unique physical setting and hydrology. Changing weather patterns including temperature rise, reduced and erratic rainfall are identified as negative causes on agricultural production regarding annual rice harvest, winter crops, and fisheries. The Haor region contributes almost 16.5 percent of the total rice production of Bangladesh and 6-8 percent of the national Gross Domestic Product (GDP) on an average. Any slowdown in the economy of the Haor region will undoubtedly affect our national growth. The major problems in the Haor area are the water and agriculture-related problems. The area also faces water-related problems such as flash flood, river bank erosion, drainage congestion, poor navigability, sedimentation. Moreover, agriculture-based problems such as monoculture cropping system, single robi season crop and extreme crop losses due to floods are another concern. The region also experiences widespread problems of flood insecurity due to a combination of factors such as-crop losses because of flash floods and erosion, poor access to markets, especially during the flood season due to lack of communication. Pre-monsoon flash floods are among the significant disasters which engulf the primary production sector and thus challenges the lives and livelihoods of the haor inhabitants. The haor region is generally considered to have lagged behind the overall progress of national development in Bangladesh regarding various key indicators of social and economic development. Humanitarian Coordination Task Team (HCTT) triggered a Coordinated Needs Assessment (CNA) in May 2017 after the March flash flood that identified the worst affected 15 Upazila with 57,837 Households. To understand the needs, opportunities, and livelihoods of the local community of the Northeast Haor region, a study was conducted to address the advocacy issues and identify the possible way forward. The short study was carried out based on reviewing previous studies and a short field visit from 26 February to 1 March 2018. The study was limited to three Upazilas in the Haor areas-Tahirpur and Derai under Sunamganj district and Itna under Kishoreganj district. The study showed that the affected people are in need of agriculture and livelihood inputs for livestock and other agro-supplies. They are also searching for alternative livelihood options as there is nothing to do at that moment thus increased internal displacement and migration to cities. Based on the primary and secondary 2 | P a g e information, the study has pointed out some significant problems in Haor areas and recommended a number of issues for advocacy to address these problems and to fulfill the needs of the haor region inhabitants.

Jarin Tasneem Oyshi

Research Associate

My research interests include climate change, disaster management, wastewater treatment, and environmental management.