Riverbank Erosion and Sustainable Planning Guidelines for Bangladesh with Emphasis on Padma River

The riverbank areas in river courses of Bangladesh have long been portrayed as home to the poorest and most vulnerable communities to climate change due to its geographical location and geomorphologic conditions. Popularly known Bengal delta formed by three river systems, which have repeatedly affected by climate change through bank erosions and other recurrent natural hazards. This perennial problem in Bangladesh is causing loss of lands and livelihoods along major rivers. Drawing on an examination of existing literature on vulnerability to human settlements along with geo-morphological characteristics of Padma riverbank areas and data analysis from the field study, this paper argues that the prevailing perceptions of managing bank erosion is based on a far too simplistic understanding and is unsustainable in nature. Thus, this research aims at preparing a sustainable adaptive hazard mitigation plan to lessen the vulnerability of the population, which will make them self-dependent in facing disaster besides the Padma riverbank areas. Finally, through the geo-morphological analysis of erodible corridor and vulnerability assessments of built form in this area, a hazard zoning map incorporating sustainable shelter option beside the Padma riverbank areas will help to develop a self-sustain community in response to observed or expected changes in climatic stimuli.

Riverbank Erosion and Sustainable Planning Guidelines for Bangladesh with Emphasis on Padma River Academic Article