Climatic Vulnerability and Migration: Evidence from Coastal Sundarbans
摘要
Coastal regions are particularly susceptible to climate-induced hazards, such as rising sea levels, storm surges, and coastal erosion, which threaten both human settlements and economic stability The SundarbansSundarbans, home to the world’s largest contiguous mangrove forest along the Bay of Bengal, is among the mostClimate climate-vulnerable coastal regions. The increasing frequency of tropical cyclones in the Bay of Bengal is evident from the 121 cyclones recorded between 1980 and 2024 and the intensity or number or frequency of cyclone is highest near the Indian Sundarbans. Cyclones Aila (2009), Amphan (2020), and Yaas (2021) have caused mass displacement, with Cyclone Amphan alone impacting 60 million people and resulting in 80 fatalities in West Bengal. Agriculture and fisheries, the two principal livelihoods of the SundarbansSundarbans’ coastal dwellers, are now under severe threat from saltwater intrusionIntrusion, soil degradation, and storm damage. Consequently, many residents are compelled to migrate to other states in search of alternative employment opportunitiesOpportunities. A nuanced understanding of these migrationMigration patterns can inform the formulation of adaptive policy strategies that enhance community resilienceResilience while mitigating displacement risksRisks. Addressing climate-induced migration from coastal Sundarbans (India) requires a multi-pronged approach that integrates sustainable livelihood support, improved disaster preparedness, and inclusive policy frameworks to ensure the well-being and stability of affected populations. So, the particular nexus between climatic vulnerability and migrationMigration was tried to understand by a case study through an empirical database. The primary data was collected from 750 households which are categorized as migrant and non-migrant households.