Drowning Coastal Livelihoods: The Climate Crisis on Bangladesh

When the Tides Turn Against You

Coastal Bangladesh, particularly areas like Satkhira, Khulna, and the Sundarbans, is experiencing the sharp edge of climate change. A rise in sea level, frequent cyclones like Sidr, Aila, and Amphan, and saline water intrusion are impacting coastal livelihoods in Bangladesh.

“Earlier we used to grow rice and vegetables. Now, even drinking water is salty,” says Rahima Khatun, a farmer from Gabura Union, Satkhira.

According to World Bank (2021), over 30 million people in Bangladesh live in high climate exposure zones. Among them, coastal dwellers are the most at risk.

Imagine waking up every day not knowing whether your land will be under water, your crops will survive the salt-laden soil, or your fishing nets will return with anything at all. For millions living along Bangladesh’s 710-kilometer coastline, this is not a scene from a dystopian novel. It’s daily life. The concept of coastal livelihood is deeply embedded in the rhythms of nature, but those rhythms are now erratic. Climate change is turning these communities from guardians of abundance into survivors of scarcity.

You will dive into the human stories, science-backed data, and socio-economic ripple effects to uncover how climate change is reshaping coastal livelihoods in Bangladesh. You’ll also learn how organizations like EcoNature BD are stepping in with actionable solutions.

Which is the Main Source of Livelihood in the Coastal Areas?

The coastal economy of Bangladesh is dynamic and deeply tied to its natural landscape. Coastal livelihoods depend primarily on agriculture, fisheries and aquaculture, and forest-based resources, each vulnerable in its own way to climate stress.

Agriculture: The Fragile Backbone

Despite mounting challenges, agriculture remains the most widespread source of income in coastal Bangladesh. Particularly in districts like Patuakhali, Barguna, Bhola, Khulna, and Satkhira, smallholder farmers rely on crops grown during two major seasons: Boro and Aman.

• Key Crops: Rice (especially Aman and Boro varieties), pulses, sunflower, watermelon, and groundnuts.
• Importance: Over 60% of coastal households depend on farming as their primary income source.
• Adaptations: Farmers are experimenting with saline-resistant crops like BRRI dhan67 and floating gardens to cope with inundated lands.

Climate Threats:

• Soil Salinity: According to the Soil Resources Development Institute (SRDI), salinity now affects over 1.5 million hectares of farmland.
• Waterlogging: In districts like Khulna and Satkhira, embankment failure has led to chronic waterlogging, making fields uncultivable.
• Rainfall Unpredictability: Early floods and erratic monsoons disrupt sowing and harvesting periods.

“I used to grow paddy twice a year, but now I barely manage one harvest. The rest of the time, the land is too salty,” Afsar Ali, farmer in Dacope.

Fisheries and Aquaculture: From Tradition to Export

Fishing has long been a traditional livelihood in coastal Bangladesh, especially in areas like Cox’s Bazar, Bhola, Khulna, and Noakhali. In recent decades, aquaculture—especially shrimp and crab farming—has gained prominence.

• Employment: The sector provides full or part-time employment to over 1.2 million people.
• Shrimp Industry: Generates $500+ million in annual exports, with shrimp branded as “white gold” in southern Bangladesh.
• Other Cultures: Crab fattening, tilapia, pangasius, and integrated rice-fish systems.

Risks and Challenges:

• Disease Outbreaks: Water-borne diseases and poor quality feed affect fish and shrimp health.
• Cyclones and Flooding: Ghers (shrimp ponds) are vulnerable to embankment breaches.
• Market Volatility: Farmers often face price crashes due to export bans or oversupply.

Despite challenges, innovations such as biofloc technology, improved hatcheries, and training in sustainable practices are showing promise.

“Shrimp farming is profitable but risky. One flood, and we lose everything. We need insurance and better embankments,” Jamal Uddin, aquaculture farmer, Satkhira.

Forest-based Livelihoods: The Sundarbans’ Silent Economy

The Sundarbans, the world’s largest mangrove forest, is a lifeline for over 3.5 million people living in adjacent areas. The forest provides food, materials, and seasonal income through non-timber forest products (NTFPs).

• Main Activities: Crab and fish catching in tidal rivers, honey and wax collection, fuelwood and golpata harvesting.
• Seasonal Reliance: Many households engage in forest-based livelihoods during lean farming or fishing seasons.
• Cultural Significance: Local communities, such as the Munda and Bawali, have traditionally coexisted with the forest for generations.

Vulnerabilities:

• Cyclones: Destroy Forest canopy, breeding grounds, and wildlife habitats.
• Salinity and Erosion: Alter plant species composition, reducing resource availability.
• Human-Wildlife Conflict: Tiger attacks are a real danger for forest workers.
• Lack of Legal Rights: Most forest-dependent people operate informally, without recognition or access to safety nets.

“My father was a mouali (honey collector). Now the bees don’t come as they used to. Salinity has changed the flowers,” Babul Mondal, Munshiganj, Satkhira.

Emerging Livelihoods: Coping and Innovating

In response to mounting climate stress, coastal people are diversifying their income sources:

• Homestead Gardening: Women are growing vegetables on raised beds or hanging gardens.
• Eco-Tourism: Community-based tourism initiatives near Sundarbans and Kuakata are growing.
• Livestock Rearing: Duck and goat farming are climate-resilient alternatives.
• Handicrafts and Sewing: Women’s cooperatives are producing local crafts for domestic and export markets.

These emerging options are increasingly critical, especially for youth and women seeking alternatives to migration or unstable seasonal work.

How Does Climate Change Affect the Coastal Areas of Bangladesh?

Bangladesh, with its vast low-lying coastline, is one of the countries most vulnerable to climate change, according to the Global Climate Risk Index. The coastal belt stretches approximately 710 kilometers, encompassing districts such as Khulna, Satkhira, Bagerhat, Barguna, Patuakhali, Bhola, Noakhali, and Cox’s Bazar. Coastal areas are impacted frequently for climate change in Bangladesh.

Sea Level Rise:

According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the Bay of Bengal’s sea level is rising at 3–7 mm per year, significantly faster than the global average. This has already caused inundation of thousands of hectares of agricultural land, particularly in low-lying areas of Satkhira and Khulna.

Salinity Intrusion:

A study by the World Bank found that salinity in the southwestern region has increased by 26% over the past 40 years. In the dry season, saline water pushes 100 kilometers inland, affecting freshwater sources, agriculture, and even drinking water.

Cyclones and Storm Surges:

Devastating cyclones like Sidr (2007), Aila (2009), Amphan (2020), and Remal (2024) have become more frequent and intense. Each event destroys infrastructure, homes, and livelihoods, while also worsening soil and water salinity.

Waterlogging:

Aging embankments and the breakdown of the polder system have led to chronic waterlogging in areas such as Dacope and Koyra. These stagnant water bodies prevent cultivation and degrade soil quality.

Temperature and Rainfall Variability:

Changes in rainfall patterns and increased temperatures disrupt cropping cycles and fish breeding periods, directly threatening income and food security.

“Cyclones used to be rare. Now they come every couple of years. Our homes get rebuilt, but our crops don’t,” says Khaled Hossain, a resident of Gabura Union in Satkhira.

What Are the Effects of Climate Change on Livelihood?

Climate change affects not just the environment. But the entire social and economic structure of the region. Coastal livelihood systems, reliant on predictable weather and healthy ecosystems, are struggling under the weight of climate volatility.

1. Agricultural Disruption

• 1.5 million hectares of arable land are affected by salinity, according to the Soil Resources Development Institute (SRDI).
• Traditional crops such as Aman rice, mustard, and pulses now show poor yields due to saline soils.
• Cost of production has increased (need for soil treatment, alternative seeds), while productivity has declined, reducing farmers’ income by as much as 30–40% in some areas.

“We used to harvest enough to sell in the market. Now, we barely have enough to eat,” shares Hasina Begum, a farmer from Munshiganj village in Khulna.

2. Fisheries and Aquaculture Under Stress

• Fish stocks in the Bay of Bengal are migrating due to warmer water temperatures.
• Hilsa, Bangladesh’s national fish, is seeing a 10–15% decline in population annually, according to the Department of Fisheries.
• Shrimp farming has expanded, but at a cost: it leads to land salinization, loss of biodiversity, and income inequality.
• Cyclones often destroy fish ponds and ghers, leading to huge economic losses.

3. Migration and Urban Overload

• According to the International Organization for Migration (IOM), over 400,000 people migrate annually from coastal regions due to environmental pressures.
• Seasonal migration has increased by 50% in the past decade.
• Migrants, often without skills or networks, end up in urban slums with poor access to services.

4. Health and Well-being

• Studies in the Khulna and Satkhira regions reveal that saline drinking water contributes to rising cases of hypertension, kidney problems, and maternal health risks.
• Mental health issues such as anxiety and depression are growing, especially among youth and women.

5. Gendered Impacts

• Women walk 3–5 km daily for safe water.
• After disasters, girls face increased school dropouts and early marriages.
• Women-headed households suffer more due to lack of land rights and access to finance.

They Want to Survive, But Need Support

Case Study: Satkhira’s Saline Exodus

Thousands have left villages like Shyamnagar in search of work. In 2022, over 20% of households had at least one family member migrate seasonally due to climate pressures.

• Over 70% of agricultural land now experiences moderate to high salinity.
• Community adaptation includes saline-tolerant rice (BRRI Dhan-67) and floating gardens.
• Many families have turned to seasonal migration, especially men.

“My husband now works in Dhaka as a rickshaw-puller. He used to own land here,” shared Taslima from Satkhira.

Polder Breakdown & Water-Logging

The once-effective Dutch polder system (embankments to block tidal waves) now fails under pressure from stronger cyclones and sea-level rise, causing chronic water-logging.

• Chronic waterlogging in Dacope and Batiaghata disrupts agriculture.
• Farmers are shifting to short-duration crops and duck farming.
• NGOs support bio-saline water solutions and community water tanks.

Ecosystem Degradation

The Sundarbans, the world’s largest mangrove forest, acts as a natural shield. But it’s being degraded by illegal logging, salinity, and rising seas. The loss of biodiversity also means fewer wild fish and crab.

Sundarbans: Forest of Uncertainty

• Post-Amphan satellite imagery showed 17,000 hectares of forest severely damaged.
• Increased salinity affects fish nurseries and vegetation.
• Livelihoods of forest-dependent people are becoming more precarious.

Turning the Tide with Hope

The future of Bangladesh’s coastal livelihood is being written today through policy, science, resilience, and solidarity. While the impacts of climate change are undeniable, the strength of communities to adapt and innovate is equally powerful.

Let’s invest in that power.

Are you a policymaker, donor, researcher, or civil society actor working on climate change and sustainable development?

Join EcoNature BD in building climate-resilient livelihoods along Bangladesh’s coast.

Together, we can protect the people and nature of coastal Bangladesh for today and for the future.

FAQs on Coastal Livelihood in Bangladesh

Q1: What is meant by coastal livelihood in Bangladesh?
A: It refers to the income-generating activities—like farming, fishing, forest product collection—practiced by people living in the coastal belt of Bangladesh. These livelihoods are highly dependent on natural resources and sensitive to climate variability.

Q2: How is climate change affecting coastal livelihood in Bangladesh?
A: It disrupts traditional livelihood systems through saltwater intrusion, sea level rise, crop failure, fish stock depletion, and natural disasters.

Q3: Which areas in Bangladesh are most affected?
A: Satkhira, Khulna, Bagerhat, Patuakhali, Bhola, and Barguna are among the most climate-affected coastal districts.

Q4: What are adaptation strategies for coastal communities?
A: Saline-resistant crops, floating agriculture, rainwater harvesting, duck and crab farming, mangrove afforestation, and microcredit-based diversification.

Q5: How can development organizations support coastal livelihoods?
A: By funding local adaptation programs, supporting research and innovation, facilitating access to finance, and empowering community-led initiatives through platforms like EcoNature BD.