Portrayal of Livelihood, Climate Change and Adaptation of Silt Island Inhabitants of Bangladesh: A Literature Review

International Journal of Humanities and Social Science

© 2025 by SSRG - IJHSS Journal

Volume 12 Issue 4

Year of Publication : 2025

Authors : S. M. Humayun Kabir

10.14445/23942703/IJHSS-V12I4P102

How to Cite?

S. M. Humayun Kabir, "Portrayal of Livelihood, Climate Change and Adaptation of Silt Island Inhabitants of Bangladesh: A Literature Review," SSRG International Journal of Humanities and Social Science, vol. 12,  no. 4, pp. 8-16, 2025. Crossref, https://doi.org/10.14445/23942703/IJHSS-V12I4P102

Abstract:

According to a study, 5 percent of the total population of Bangladesh lives in the Chars (Silt Islands) areas. They reside on the transient riverine and coastal islands, facing a multitude of socio-economic and environmental challenges. This study tries to find their pattern of suffering through secondary data, reviewing 28 research articles, including a round table. The study also tries to find the major focus of researchers on the inhabitants of the Char Islands of Bangladesh. The 28 articles, however, were reviewed and found to encompass three major themes: livelihood, climate change, and adaptation. Out of 28 articles, 14 articles were on livelihood issues, 9 on climate change issues, and 5 articles were on adaptation-related issues of the Silt Island inhabitants of Bangladesh. Most articles have represented the scenario of char dwellers’ livelihood issues, which depend on subsistence agriculture, fishing, daily labor, or seasonal migration. Frequent natural disasters add to their sufferings, leading to repeated displacement and loss of income sources. Additionally, limited access to markets, modern farming technologies, credit, and training further constrains their ability to increase productivity. Moreover, Climate Change hits them initially and acts as a poverty multiplier, deepening their vulnerability. For adaptation, they rely on a combination of traditional knowledge, community-based strategies, and external NGO or government support to adapt to their harsh and changing environment. The research articles concluded by explaining the livelihood, coping techniques with climate change and the adaptation strategies of char dwellers of 14 districts of Bangladesh.

Keywords:

Adaptation, Bangladesh, Char Dwellers, Climate Change, Livelihood.

References:

[1] Mahmud Hossain Opu, Dhaka Ranks World’s Sixth Most Populous City, Dhaka Tribune, 2022. [Online]. Available: https://www.dhakatribune.com/bangladesh/261898/dhaka-ranks-world%E2%80%99s-sixth-most-populous-city
[2] Md. Rakibul Alam, Md. Abdul Malak, and Mohammad Abdul Quader, “Livelihood Vulnerability of Char Land People in Brahmaputra Jamuna River System,” Jagannath University Journal of Life and Earth Sciences, vol. 4, no. 1, pp. 54-64, 2018.
[Google Scholar]
[3] Sarkar Barbaq Quarmal, “Mass Communication, Media & Society, General Media, Communication & Cultural Studies,” The SAGE International Encyclopedia of Mass Media and Society, 2020.
[CrossRef] [Publisher Link]
[4] Koen de Wilde, Moving Coastlines: Emergence and Use of Land in the Ganges‑Brahmaputra‑Meghna Estuary, Dhaka, Bangladesh: University Press Limited, 2011.
[Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[5] Mohammad Arifur Rahman, and Md. Munsur Rahman, “Impact of Livelihood Practices on the Char Dwellers Economic Condition in Riverine Chars: Case Studies in Bangladesh,” Journal of the Bangladesh Association of Young Researchers, vol. 1, no. 1, pp. 15–30, 2011.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[6] Mohammad Zaman, and Mustafa Alam, Living on the Edge, Cham: Springer International Publishing, 2021.
[CrossRef] [Publisher Link]
[7] B.K. Roy, M.B. Ullah, and M.H. Rahman, “Climate Change Impact in Charlands in Central Area of Bangladesh: Assessing Vulnerability and Adaptation by the Farming Communities,” Journal of Environmental Science and Natural Resources, vol. 7, no. 2, pp. 59–63, 2015.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[8] M.S. Islam et al., “Adaptation of Char Livelihood in Flood and River Erosion Areas through Indigenous Practice: A Study on Bhuapur Riverine Area in Tangail,” Journal of Environmental Science and Natural Resources, vol. 7, no. 1, pp. 13–19, 2015.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[9] M.A. Rahman, and M.A. Siddik, “Livelihood Analysis of the Char Dwellers Using Capital Asset Framework,” Journal of Environmental Science & Natural Resources, vol. 11, no. 1–2, pp. 27–36, 2019.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[10] Staff Correspondent bdnews24.com, 3 Million more People in Bangladesh to Fall into Extreme Poverty in 2025, Says World Bank, 2025. [Online]. Available: https://bdnews24.com/economy/488e5eb8c40a
[11] The Daily Star, Initiatives Taken to Make Vulnerable Island-char Dwellers Climate Resilient: Saber, 2025. [Online]. Available: https://www.thedailystar.net/environment/news/initiatives-taken-make-vulnerable-island-char-dwellers-climate-resilient-saber-3576276
[12] Md. Sirajul Islam et al., “Impacts of Flood on Char Livelihoods and Its Adaptation Techniques by the Local People,” Bangladesh Journal of Scientific Research, vol. 28, no. 2, pp. 123–135, 2016.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[13] Babul Hossain, Md. Salman Sohel, and Crispin Magige Ryakitimbo, “Climate Change Induced Extreme Flood Disaster in Bangladesh: Implications on People’s Livelihoods in the Char Village and Their Coping Mechanisms,” Progress in Disaster Science, vol. 6, 2020.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[14] Md. Nazirul Islam Sarker, Md. Arshad Ali, and Md. Shahidul Islam, “Causes and Possible Solutions of Poverty Perceived by Char Dwellers in Bangladesh,” International Journal of Natural and Social Sciences, vol. 2, pp. 37–41, 2015.
[Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[15] Saydur Rahman, Md. Touhiduzzaman, and Irteja Hasan, “Coastal Livelihood Vulnerability to Climate Change: A Case Study of Char Montaz in Patuakhali District of Bangladesh,” American Journal of Modern Energy, vol. 3, no. 4, pp. 58-64, 2017.
[CrossRef] [Publisher Link]
[16] Farzana Raihan, and Mohammad Melon Hossain, “Livelihood Vulnerability Assessments and Adaptation Strategies to Climate Change: A Case Study in Tanguar Haor, Sylhet,” Journal of Water and Climate Change, vol. 12, no. 7, pp. 3448–3463, 2021.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[17] Kazi Shahedul Halim, and Md. Juel Mia, “Access to Healthcare and Health-Seeking Behaviors of People in the Remote Islands of Bangladesh: An Insight from Char Nizam,” Social Science Review, vol. 41, no. 2, pp. 99–118, 2025.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[18] Edris Alam, Md. Sabur Khan, and Roquia Salam, “Vulnerability Assessment based on Household Views from the Dammar Char in Southeastern Bangladesh,” Natural Hazards, vol. 113, pp. 329–344, 2022.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[19] Babul Hossain et al., “Climate Change Induced Human Displacement in Bangladesh: Implications on the Livelihood of Displaced Riverine Island Dwellers and Their Adaptation Strategies,” Frontiers in Psychology, vol. 13, 2022.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[20] Tasneem Chowdhury Fahim, and Sabrina Arefin, “Climate Change-induced Salinity Intrusion and Livelihood Nexus: A Study in Southwest Satkhira District of Bangladesh,” International Journal of Rural Management, vol. 20, no. 1, pp. 106–123, 2023.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[21] Nasrul Momen Saifullah, “Char Dwellers’ Adaptation to Climate Change,” M.Sc. (Disaster Management) dissertation, BRAC University, Dhaka, Bangladesh, Sept. 2010.
[Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[22] M.S. Islam et al., “Coping Techniques of Local People to Flood and River Erosion in Char Areas of Bangladesh,” Journal of Environmental Science & Natural Resources, vol. 5, no. 2, pp. 251–261, 2012.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[23] Md. Omar Faruk, and Keshav Lall Maharjan, “The Determinants of Farmers’ Perceived Flood Risk and Their Flood Adaptation Assessments: A Study in a Char-Land Area of Bangladesh,” Sustainability, vol. 15, no. 18, 2023.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[24] Muhammad Ziaul Hoque et al., “Adoption of Climate Smart Agricultural Practices by Charland Farmers in Charfasson, Bangladesh,” Journal of Agriculture and Ecology Research International, vol. 24, no. 5, pp. 87–97, 2023.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar]
[25] Shafi Noor Islam, “Char-Lands Erosion, Livelihoods and Cyclic Displacement of People in Ganges-Padma River Basin in Bangladesh,” Asia-Pacific Journal of Rural Development, vol. 20, no. 1, pp. 151–174, 2010.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[26] Prothom Alo English Desk, Improving the Living Standard of Northern Char Dwellers of Bangladesh, 2022. [Online]. Available: https://en.prothomalo.com/bangladesh/roundtable/6og7315tcm