Ecochamps - BUETDC pt2

Over the years Bangladesh has been facing a crisis unlike before, displacing millions, and
forcing them to flee their homes safely, especially in the coastal regions in Bangladesh. Large
river sedimentation, particularly because of barricades over the natural river flow, (such as that
of the Ganges and the Brahmaputra as the largest, a natural process that contributes to the
ecosystem of the Bangladesh delta), affects the natural ecosystem which leads to a rise in salinity
and degradation of coastal areas, inadequate wastewater treatment and the rise of unregulated
shrimp farming contributes to the degradation of coastal ecosystems, further intensifying the
impacts of climate change.
It is estimated that 20 million people living in coastal areas of Bangladesh are already facing
higher exposure to diseases like blood hypertension, degradation of the digestive tract etc. due to
increased salinity of the water supply. This also has affected the already bad child mortality rate.
In the affected regions, child mortality is 1 in 5 children, due to insecure food and water intake.
Chattogram and Khulna districts are likely to witness between 15,000 and 30,000 migrants per
year each, according to a study in 2018 conducted by IFPRI and Ohio State University.
In the 1970s, the Netherlands collaborated to build 139 polders to protect against flooding, but
local government incompetence and shrimp fishermen's sabotage have led to 106 polders being
classified as vulnerable.
There are sustainable methods to reverse the damage done and further mitigate the consequences.
One such method is:
● Community-Managed Aquaculture Ponds: Using aquaculture's potential through

community engagement is a long-term and strong solution to both economic and
environmental challenges. Communities may create sources of income and nourishment
by working together to develop and manage shared aquaculture ponds and lowering
dependency on climate-sensitive agriculture. As a result, communities play a vital role in
determining ideal places for shared aquaculture pond building.
● Vegetation and overall biodiversity: Mangrove ecosystems, comprising salt-tolerant
vegetation, serve as effective vegetative buffers along coastlines. These natural barriers
act as a first line of defence. Mangroves also play a crucial role in reducing salinity
intrusion by creating a transition zone where freshwater and saltwater interact, helping to
maintain a balance that supports diverse aquatic life as this would act as buffers for water
divisions and canal networks.
● Income and nutrition: Aquaculture provides a sustainable income source by cultivating
diverse fish species, reducing climate change risks and adaptability to varying weather
conditions, unlike traditional agriculture.
● Early Warning Systems and Disaster Preparedness: Implement early warning systems
to offer timely notifications to communities threatened by coastal erosion and salt
intrusion. Establish community-based disaster programs and shelters to enable a quick
response and to give local populations training programs on sustainable agriculture
methods, and disaster preparedness, to Increase the capacity of government officials and
local governments to execute and administer climate policy effectively.
● Improvement of sewage treatment, and waste management: This includes the
appropriate disposal and treatment of many forms of trash, including solid and hazardous
waste. Waterlogging is a typical problem associated with poor drainage systems, and the
backwater impact is severe. The backwater effect happens when the flow of sewage is
obstructed, forcing water to rise upstream. This phenomenon can cause sewage systems
to malfunction, leading to overflows and mortality Addressing the backwater effect to
engineering solutions, sewage gateways, and the incorporation of effective pumping
systems in order to maintain optimal flow rates so that it can pass on through effectively.
● Coastal management solutions: Building dams along rivers that feed into estuaries is a
crucial way to decrease salinity overall. Dams may assist in regulating the flow of
freshwater, especially during low-flow seasons. Authorities can avoid or lessen the
infiltration of saltwater into estuaries and coastal areas by carefully controlling the
freshwater output from these dams. Carefully controlling the flow of freshwater into
estuaries from dams or reservoirs is necessary when implementing a controlled flow
system. In order to guarantee that there is enough freshwater available, this might be
dependent on seasonal changes along with chlorination plants based on the design,
inspired by Singaporean water recycling, which aims to replenish aquifers with fresh
water, allowing urban areas to utilize processed water and aquifers for rural communities.
● Managing the rise in salinity: Anthropogenic and environmental factors are causing salt
intrusion in Bangladesh's southwest area. Under such conditions, the predominant
livelihood of agriculture is negatively impacted, leading to health issues, long-term
effects on the ecology, and decline of the soil and groundwater. The total amount of
salinity-affected land in Bangladesh was 83.3 million hectares in 1973, which increased
to 102 million hectares in 2000 and the amount has risen to 105.6 million hectares in
2009 and continues to increase, according to the country's Soil Resources Development
Institute (SRDI). In the last 35 years, salinity increased by around 26 per cent in the
country, spreading into non-coastal areas as well.
(figure 01: graph for the future of saline intrusion)

● Cost and humanitarian impact: Safe drinking water is the first item affected. More than
35 million people, or 32% of the country, live in the 19 districts that make up
Bangladesh's coastal belt, and they have been negatively impacted by the absence of good
drinking water. 21% of Bangladesh's GDP comes from the country's agricultural output
[14]. Most residents of the coastal village depend on agriculture for the production of
cattle, seafood, and cereals.
● Shipbuilding industry wastage: The shipbuilding industry has been deprived of the past
titles as the hub for best ships and Bangladesh has lost its main assets for the industry.
The gap between today and the golden time caused workers to fall behind its legacy.
Right now, its main problem is the spillages, dumping and run-offs from such places and
has poisoned the eastern coasts of Bangladesh with heavy metal contamination.
In accordance with this, the rise of salinity in Bangladesh requires a policy with an understanding
and immersive approach.
● Scientific assessment and data collection: scientific assessment to understand the

current and projected impacts of climate change on an annual basis, to understand and
record coastal erosion and salinity rise, and to establish a monitoring and data collection
system to track changes in sea level, erosion rates, and salinity levels.
● International Engagement and Community Involvement: The policymaking process
should involve local communities, experts, NGOs, and government agencies while
incorporating traditional ecological knowledge from coastal communities.
● Assessment and vulnerability mapping: As for coastal protection, we should work to
lessen these risks while simultaneously safeguarding citizens and infrastructure. As a
result, risk assessment and vulnerability mapping, this is necessary, with salinity barrier
dams spanning rivers or estuaries inhibiting salt water's movement
● Monitoring, Evaluation, and Management: To provide a framework for monitoring
and evaluating the efficacy of policies that have been implemented. We must apply
management concepts to change strategy in response to new knowledge and changing
weather patterns. By incorporating these factors into a comprehensive climate
policymaking plan, Bangladesh can increase its resilience to coastal erosion and salinity
rise while protecting coastal residents' livelihoods and well-being. Regular plan updates
and revisions based on emerging climate research will be critical for long-term success.
Economic assessment:
Bangladesh's aquaculture has significantly contributed to food, income, and employment, but
44% of the population lives in poverty. Despite the growth and an average literacy rate of around
30.35% (male 39.7% and female 21%) poverty rates have decreased from 11.8% in 2010 to 5.0%
by 2022, despite ongoing research on specifics and expenditure.
By creating and investing in the overall coastal management and further involvement it creates
incentives for further economic development, as literacy rates increase so does the economic
value and the living standards of the surrounding areas overall creating a positive outlook
To effectively address climate change, public-private partnerships, international cooperation,

and dynamic budgeting are crucial. A comprehensive financial strategy, involving expert
collaboration, is essential for successful implementation.
References:
https://www.hindawi.com/journals/jfq/2017/2045157/
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0964569116301223
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S096456911630391X
https://bjee.com.bd/public/articles/Impact-of-Climate-Change-in-Coastal-Bangladesh-Affected-
by-Cyclone-Bulbul.pdf
https://www.scirp.org/html/7-2360262_57061.htm
https://www.hindawi.com/journals/jfq/2017/2045157/
https://www.frontierspartnerships.org/articles/10.3389/sjss.2022.10017/full

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Over the years Bangladesh has been facing a crisis unlike before, displacing millions, and

● Community-Managed Aquaculture Ponds: Using aquaculture's potential through

(figure 01: graph for the future of saline intrusion)

● Scientific assessment and data collection: scientific assessment to understand the

To effectively address climate change, public-private partnerships, international cooperation,

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