FEASIBLE AND SUSTAINABLE COASTAL PROTECTION AND ADAPTATION STRATEGIES FOR COASTAL AREAS OF BANGLADESH

Abstract

Bangladesh has about a 710 km long coastline with the Bay of Bengal at the southernmost part of the country. Due to the dynamic characteristics of the Meghna estuary, geographic location and climatic conditions, the coastal regions of Bangladesh are subjected to a number of challenges every year including coastal erosion, sedimentation, salinity intrusion, tropical cyclone, storm surge, tidal bores etc. This study focuses on formulating a combination of protection and adaptation strategies to mitigate and counteract the current as well as future aggravated coastal challenges due to climate change impacts. The protection strategies include structural interventions such as coastal embankments, hydraulic structures such as regulators, sluice gates, breakwaters, afforestation and bank protection works and soft adaptation measures such as rainwater harvesting, cyclone shelters, etc. The effectiveness of the existing natural protection such as hilly elevated terrain in the southeast coast, mangrove forest in the west, natural forests in the islands at the estuary as well as of the artificial measures such as coastal polders, hydraulic structures, bank protection works, etc. are assessed in this context. The results of this study will be helpful for the policy makers to adopt suitable strategies to counteract the coastal hazards and thus reduce risk to human life, livelihood, agriculture, ecosystem and biodiversity.