Scarcity to solution: Perceived reasons for safe drinking water scarcity and local coping responses in a coastal village of Bangladesh

Imam, M. A., et al., 2016. Journal of Water and Climate Change

Original research (primary data)
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Abstract

People are directly and indirectly exposed to changing weather patterns through changes in the quality of water, air, and food changes in ecosystems, agriculture, industry, human settlements and the economy. Hence, this study explored local perceived reasons for safe drinking water scarcity and under such circumstances the coping responses in their region. This is a descriptive study based on qualitative methods. Male and female informants (30 + years of age) were purposively identified and data for the study were collected in three ways, through observation and informal discussion, in-depth interviews (n 1/4 18), and three focus group discussions in a coastal village of Bangladesh. Climate change consequences include damaged trees and increased salinity intrusion, leading to a scarcity of safe drinking water. To cope with such scarcity of water, small scale road side mangrove tree planting was found to protect fresh water from salt water. In addition, cost effective rainwater preservation in the community during the rainy season was taken as mitigation of the scarcity of safe drinking water. Considering the geographical and socio-economic context of any specific region, cost effective and environment friendly local adaptive measures can reduce or mitigate the impact of climate change on water resources.

Case studies

Basic information

  • Case ID: INT-185-1
  • Intervention type: Created habitats
  • Intervention description:

    Small-scale mangrove tree planting … on the roadside to protect the fresh water supply from salt water. 13.02.2019 - AC/NS/BT all agreed not enough information was given as to whether the tree planting was restoring tree vegetation previously present or whether a new habitat type was created (mangroves were planted but unclear if mangroves were there before or another tree type) therefore labeled as created habitat

  • Landscape/sea scape ecosystem management: No
  • Climate change impacts Effect of Nbs on CCI Effect measures
    Coastal salt water intrusion  Positive Qualitative analysis, reported perceptions of effectiveness FOR BOTH COASTAL EROSION(WAVE) AND SALT INTRUSION
    Coastal erosion  Positive Qualitative analysis, reported perceptions of effectiveness FOR BOTH COASTAL EROSION(WAVE) AND SALT INTRUSION
  • Approach implemented in the field: Yes
  • Specific location:

    coastal village of Koyra Upazila (1,322.77 sq km) in Khulna district

  • Country: Bangladesh
  • Habitat/Biome type: Created forest |
  • Issue specific term: Not applicable

Evidence

  • Notes on intervention effectivness: Effectiveness determined qualitatively through author observation / focus group discussion. The authors also conducted interviews but not to assess coping mechanisms. In order to cope with the typical soil conditions, small-scale tree planting was ongoing for some specific trees, like mangroves, on the roadside to protect the fresh water supply from salt water. "These trees can help to reduce the erosive impact of waves and salinity intrusion by protecting the fresh water supply from salt water" (direct quote to highlight an important theme; focus group discussions)
  • Is the assessment original?: Yes
  • Broadtype of intervention considered: Not applicable
  • Compare effectivness?: No
  • Compared to the non-NBS approach: Not applicable
  • Report greenhouse gas mitigation?: No
  • Impacts on GHG: Not applicable
  • Assess outcomes of the intervention on natural ecosystems: No
  • Impacts for the ecosystem: Not reported
  • Ecosystem measures: n/a
  • Assess outcomes of the intervention on people: Yes
  • Impacts for people: Positive
  • People measures: Reported benefits captured through focus group discussions : “provide us firewood, timber to make furniture”
  • Considers economic costs: No
  • Economic appraisal conducted: No
  • Economic appraisal described:
  • Economic costs of alternative considered: No
  • Compared to an alternative: Not reported

Evaluation methodology

  • Type of data: Qualitative
  • Is it experimental: No
  • Experimental evalution done: Not applicable
  • Non-experimental evalution done: Empirical case study
  • Study is systematic: