Bengal Delta, Charland Formation, and Riparian Hazards: Why Is a Flexible Planning Approach Needed for Deltaic Systems?

A comprehensive understanding of the dynamic characteristics of geomorphological, ecological, and human systems is essential to explaining complex charland (mid-channel island) processes and crafting and implementing policy measures. This work demonstrates that the characteristics and outcomes of riparian hazards are determined by the interactive dynamics between hydrogeology and human conditions, which constitutes a novel contribution to the literature in this research area. We further contend that such dynamic social-ecological systems demand a flexible, adaptive management and planning approach. The present research has three key interdisciplinary objectives: (i) to analyze the salient features and characteristics of the geomorphological and riparian systems of the Bengal Delta; (ii) to analyze the evolutionary discourse of the legal systems concerning eroded (diluvion) and accreted (alluvion) land in Bangladesh; and (iii) to assess the characteristics of the coping and adaptation strategies employed by charland inhabitants. The findings of this research reveal that delta-building processes, which are characterized by dynamic shifts in the river channels, along with the erosion and accretion of charlands have made Bangladesh’s land and water systems very dynamic and unstable. The destabilization of these systems increases the inhabitants’ vulnerability to riparian hazards, which consistently results in the displacement of settlers and, consequently, a serious deterioration in their socioeconomic status. At present, Bangladesh does not have an effective institutional framework and structure for resettlement planning; therefore, the formulation of a comprehensive national resettlement policy with adequate flexibility to adapt to changing scenarios is urgently needed.

[1]  C. Lovelock,et al.  Importance of mangrove plantations for climate change mitigation in Bangladesh , 2023, Global change biology.

[2]  Li Zhang,et al.  Assessing effectiveness of nature-based solution with big earth data: 60 years mangrove plantation program in Bangladesh coast , 2023, Ecological Processes.

[3]  Barry Smith,et al.  ImmPort, toward repurposing of open access immunological assay data for translational and clinical research , 2018, Scientific Data.

[4]  Ioana Popescu,et al.  Evolution of the Bengal Delta and Its Prevailing Processes , 2016, Journal of Coastal Research.

[5]  J. Birkmann,et al.  The World Risk Index – An Approach to Assess Risk and Vulnerability on a Global Scale , 2015 .

[6]  S. Islam,et al.  Land Rights, Land Disputes and Land Administration in Bangladesh- A Critical Study , 2015 .

[7]  Islam,et al.  Adaptation of Char Livelihood in Flood and River Erosion Areas through Indigenous Practice: A Study on Bhuapur Riverine Area in Tangail , 2015 .

[8]  Colin R. Thorne,et al.  Morpho-dynamics of the Brahmaputra–Jamuna River, Bangladesh , 2014 .

[9]  Julie Ahringer,et al.  Living on the edge , 2005, Genome Biology.

[10]  C. E. Haque,et al.  Patterns of Coping and Adaptation Among Erosion-Induced Displacees in Bangladesh: Implications for Hazard Analysis and Mitigation , 2003 .

[11]  R. Warrick,et al.  The Implications of Climate Change on Floods of the Ganges, Brahmaputra and Meghna Rivers in Bangladesh , 2003 .

[12]  R. Koudstaal,et al.  Rivers, chars and char dwellers of Bangladesh , 2003 .

[13]  J. Curray,et al.  The curtain goes up on a sedimentary basin in south-central Asia: unveiling the sedimentary geology of the Bengal Basin of Bangladesh , 2003 .

[14]  S. Kuehl,et al.  Controls on facies distribution and stratigraphic preservation in the Ganges–Brahmaputra delta sequence , 2003 .

[15]  M. Q. Zaman.  Development and Displacement in Bangladesh: Toward a Resettlement Policy , 1996 .

[16]  M. Q. Zaman.  SOCIAL STRUCTURE AND PROCESS IN CHAR LAND SETTLEMENT IN THE BRAHMAPUTRA-JAMUNA FLOODPLAIN , 1991 .

[17]  C. E. Haque,et al.  Coping with riverbank erosion hazard and displacement in bangladesh: survival strategies and adjustments. , 1989, Disasters.

[18]  M. Zaman.  The Social and Political Context of Adjustment to Riverbank Erosion Hazard and Population Resettlement in Bangladesh , 1989 .

[19]  C. E. Haque.  Human adjustments to river bank erosion hazard in the Jamuna floodplain, Bangladesh , 1988 .

[20]  B. Paul,et al.  Flood problems in Bangladesh: Is there an indigenous solution? , 1987 .

[21]  Bimal Kanti Paul,et al.  Perception of and agricultural adjustment to floods in Jamuna floodplain, Bangladesh , 1984 .

[22]  D. G. Moore,et al.  Growth of the Bengal Deep-Sea Fan and Denudation in the Himalayas , 1971 .

[23]  Peter Ackers,et al.  SUMMARY OF PAPER 7362. THE SLOPE AND RESISTANCE OF SMALL MEANDERING CHANNELS. , 1970 .

[24]  James M. Coleman,et al.  Brahmaputra River : Channel processes and sedimentation , 1969 .

[25]  James P. Morgan,et al.  QUATERNARY GEOLOGY OF THE BENGAL BASIN, EAST PAKISTAN AND INDIA , 1959 .

[26]  A. Wallace.  VI: Mazeway Disintegration: The Individual's Perception of Socio-Cultural Disorganization , 1957 .

[27]  James G. Fergusson.  On Recent Changes in the Delta of the Ganges , 1863, Quarterly Journal of the Geological Society of London.

[28]  Mahabub Alom,et al.  Environment Policy of Bangladesh: A Critical Review on Implementation Scenario , 2021, Dynamics of Public Administration.

[29]  F. Masum.  Rural land management in Bangladesh: problems and prospects , 2017 .

[30]  M. Islam,et al.  Managing mangroves in Bangladesh: A strategy analysis , 2004 .

[31]  C. E. Haque,et al.  Hazards in a Fickle Environment: Bangladesh , 1997 .

[32]  C. Emdad Haque,et al.  Human responses to riverine hazards in Bangladesh: A proposal for sustainable floodplain development , 1993 .

[33]  C. E. Haque,et al.  Working Together: Reflections on Collaborative Research in Bangladesh , 1991 .

[34]  A. Abdullah.  The peasant economy in transition: the rise of the rich peasant in permanently settled Bengal. , 1980 .

[35]  L. B. Leopold,et al.  River channel patterns: Braided, meandering, and straight , 1957 .

[36]  E. Russell.  Land Reclamation , 1948, Nature.