2023

Author(s): Majumdar S, Das A, Mandal S

This paper attempts to assess the vulnerability to river bank erosion of human communities in different mouzas of selected blocks of Diara sub division of Malda District of India. A primary household survey has been done to collect data on socio demographic profile, livelihood strategy, health, food, water, social network, natural disaster and river bank erosion indicators which were selected for Livelihood Vulnerability Index (LVI) and Livelihood Vulnerability Index-Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (LVI-IPCC) analyses to predict and compare the vulnerability of mouzas currently suffering from frequent flooding, river bank erosion and embankment breaching on an annual basis. Secondary data are collected from the Human Development Report of Malda district; Regional Agriculture office and analyzed through relevant charts, diagrams and calculating index values. A GPS survey has been conducted to identify locations of affected mouzas due to river bank erosion. The results indicate that the study area has experienced rise in water level, higher amount of water discharge, riverbank line change, constant land loss, embankment breaching and changing land use, which have had impact on vulnerability, particularly of poorer riverine people. From the result of both LVI and LVI- IPCC, high to moderate vulnerability condition has existed within the selected mouzas. The high vulnerable mouzas are Dharampur, Manikchak, Kesarpur, Mirpur, Mathurapur, Jot Bhabani and relatively less vulnerable mouzas are Suksena, Duani Tafir and Paschim Narayanpur in respect to both indices. The poor conditions of LVI components of the selected mouzas in the study area make them more expose and sensitive and decrease their adaptive capacity. These findings enable policymakers to formulate and implement effective strategies and programs to reduce vulnerability and enhance resilience by improving the livelihoods of the vulnerable riverine community of all other parts in India as well as world.

DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s10668-021-02046-z