Unveiling Vulnerability: Rural Murshidabad’s Trifecta of Environmental, Economic, and Health Challenges in the Face of Climate Change
摘要
This chapter delves into the multifaceted vulnerability experienced by the communities of Murshidabad in rural India, focusing on the confluence of environmental, economic, and health challenges accentuated by climate change. Drawing from primary data collected from 780 households in the region, the study employs a composite index methodology, including the Environmental Vulnerability Index (EnVI), Economic Vulnerability Index (EVI), and Health Vulnerability Index (HVI), to delineate the most vulnerable areas and demographics within Murshidabad. The study likely aims to shed light on the intricate interplay between these three dimensions, highlighting how environmental degradation, economic instability, and health risks are exacerbated by climate change. The findings uncover clusters of heightened vulnerability in specific villages, notably Khargram, Dayarampur, Pirojpur, Hasanpur, Hijol, Kedartala, and Godapara, characterized by elevated levels of environmental, economic, and health vulnerabilities. Noteworthy environmental degradation, such as river erosion and flooding, compounded by health hazards like arsenic contamination, exacerbates economic vulnerabilities, particularly affecting home-based industry workers and agricultural laborers. By unveiling these vulnerabilities, this chapter provides insights into the complex challenges faced by rural communities and proposes strategies to address these issues effectively.