Climate Change Induced Shifting Pattern of Livelihood in the Indian Sundarbans, West Bengal, India: An Appraisal

The Sundarbans is the largest contiguous mangrove ecosystem bestowed with rich biodiversity. It is included under the Ramsar Site Convention. Sundarbans has been named because of the mangrove species Sundari plant has been abundantly found in this part of the delta. The previous study has highlighted that the Ganges River is shifting towards the east resulting in the influx of freshwater flow being reduced. There is an urgency to reach the adaptation gap which is a pressing issue today. Now, it is facing climate change issues which is inducing an economic challenge by bringing a change in livelihood for the residents of the Sundarban along with social impact like deprivation of women special mention for tribal folks. The residents have been surveyed to get a real picture of the problems of the study area. They have opined that the major causes have been sea-level rise, climate change and frequency of cyclones which are leading to alteration of the livelihood. The traditional agrarian system is shifting towards aquaculture due to the intrusion of salt water into the agricultural fields. More research is needed to understand the whole problem. At the earliest, the plantation of mangroves is the best way for the restoration of this ecosystem. It is going to act as the green shield for the river banks and save its further degradation thus restoring the ecosystem for future generations.