See discussions, stats, and author profiles for this publication at: https://www.researchgate.

net/publication/339841483

Seasonal Livelihood Variation and Scio-economic Conflict of the Chalan Beel

Wetland Area: A Case of Beel Chiroil at Pabna District in Bangladesh

Article · March 2020

CITATION READS

1 2,441

1 author:

Mohammad Najmul Islam

Pabna University of Science and Technology
18 PUBLICATIONS 90 CITATIONS

SEE PROFILE

All content following this page was uploaded by Mohammad Najmul Islam on 11 March 2020.

The user has requested enhancement of the downloaded file.

 Pabna University of Science and Technology Studies, ISSN 2308-6246, Volume 4, Issue 1, 2020

Seasonal Livelihood Variation and Scio-economic Conflict of the

Chalan Beel Wetland Area: A Case of Beel Chiroil at Pabna District
in Bangladesh
Mohammad Najmul Islam

Abstract—The Chalan Beel was once the largest Beel in resiliency of people of the flood prone areas of
the northern Bangladesh. It consisted of a series of Beels Bangladesh.
connected to one another by various channels to form a Mostofa et al, (2009) has revealed that at least 19
more or less continuous sheet of water during the rainy
fish species once considered abundant can now be
season. Like this way, Beel Chiroil is a part of greater
Chalan Beel which is located at the Chatmohar upazila of classified as threatened, with a possibility of local
Pabna district in Bangladesh. Among different hard-to- extinction. In 2005–2006, the annual fish production in
reach agro-ecological zones in Bangladesh, a part of greater Chalan beel was 12 217 tonnes, being less than half of
Chalan Beel has been selected as the study location. The the production observed in 1982. The stakeholders
study was carried out with the objectives: to understand the identified several major causes they thought were
present livelihood pattern with seasonality and socio-
directly responsible for the continued decrease in fish
economic conflict in the Beel Chiroil region. For the study
several field visits and surveys have been conducted to collect production and biodiversity of the beel area.
qualitative and quantitative data by using different tools Gradual habitat degradation and overexploitation
such as household interview schedule, different tools of are key drivers of biodiversity degradation and
Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA), Focused Group declining aquatic production in Chalan beel. Habitat
Discussions (FGDs) with active participation of multi- degradation results from increased siltation rates,
stakeholder in both beneficiary groups (farmers and construction of flood control embankments and roads,
fishermen) and key informant interviews (KIIs) from
different key personals in relevant sectors. The study uncontrolled use of pesticides, insecticides and chemical
revealed that their natural resource-based diversified fertilizers on croplands, excessive removal of surface
livelihoods are facing problems to cope with the seasonality. water and extraction of groundwater for irrigation,
Natural calamities and man-made interventions are extra diversion of water courses, unregulated discharge of
push factors for socio-economic conflict. untreated industrial and aquafarms effluents, fish
harvesting by dewatering, etc. These factors, which also
Keywords: Bangladesh, Chalan beel, Pabna, Chiroil beel, contribute to already significant reductions in the areal
water resources.
extent of Chalan beel, are pushing many indigenous
species to the verge of extinction (Shahnaz 2005).
I. INTRODUCTION A livelihood is made up of the capabilities,
activities, and assets (including both material and social
The beel is a Bengali term used for relatively large resource) that contribute to a means of living.
surface, static water body that accumulates surface run- According to Chambers and Conway (1992) livelihood
off water through an internal drainage channel comprises the capabilities, the assets (natural, physical,
(Banglapedia 2004). Beel is one of the best natural human, financial and social), the activities and the
habitats for the indigenous fishes of different food
accesses to these that together determine the living
habits in monsoon and diversified agricultural
gained by the individual household. The Chiroil beel
production area in dry season. The Chalan beel is the
and its adjacent floodplains make a substantial
largest and most important watershed in Northern part
of Bangladesh. It comprises a series of depressions contribution to the crop farming and fishery of country
interconnected by various channels to form a continuous and the livelihoods of fishermen and farmers who have
vast water body in the rainy season (July-November) free access to it. During the monsoon, this Chiroil beel
when it covers an area of about 400 km2. During the dry inundates the adjacent area to form an ideal floodplain
winter and summer, the water area decreases down to both in terms of habitat and species diversity. The Beel
52-78 km2 and looks like a cluster of beels of different Chiroil is a part of greater Chalan Beel which is located
size and offers an excellent alluvial crop land in the post at the Chatmohar upazila of Pabna district in
monsoon season (Hossain et al, 2009). Bangladesh.
Paul and Hossain (2013) mentioned that about two- Livelihood standard captures the socio-economic
third of the respondents (67.4%) are dissatisfied, 22.1% condition of an area. Socio-economic condition is very
are highly dissatisfied on the role of Government important to understand about the economic activities
organisations in flood disaster management activities. and variety conducted by local people. For proper and
Therefore, the present study suggests that it is important sound development it is essential to improve the
to develop people’s awareness and suitable coping livelihood of people including the vulnerable ones. Due
strategies which may be employed to enhance long term to rapid growth of population the pressure on natural

Author for Correspondence: [email protected]

Department of Geography and Environment, Pabna University of Science and Technology, Pabna
 Pabna University of Science and Technology Studies, 4(1), 29-37

resources are increasing and the resources are depleting remains high as long as the Jamuna is in flood, but with
gradually. In this regards the study was carried out with the onset of the dry season, the greater part of the beel
the objectives: to understand the present livelihood dries out, leaving only small area of shallow,
pattern with seasonality and socio-economic conflict interconnected water bodies (not more than 2,500 -
among natural resource-based benefit groups in the Beel 3,000 ha in recent years) which is indicating the Google
Chiroil area. Earth Images Figure 2.

II. PROFILE OF THE STUDY AREA

Among different hard-to-reach agro-ecological zones in

Bangladesh, a part of greater Chalan beel has been
selected as the study location. The Chalan beel is
located in the North-West region of Bangladesh,
approximately between latitudes 24°12' and 24°50'
North and longitudes 88°21' and 88°35’ East in the
South-East portion of the greater Rajshahi and Pabna
districts. It occupies the police stations of Singra,
Baraigram, Gurudaspur, Atrai, Raninagar, Naogaon and
Natore of greater Rajshahi district and Chatmohar,
Tarash, Bhangoora, Faridpur, Ullapara and Raiganj of
greater Pabna district. It is bordered on the north by Figure 2: Location of the Beel Chiroil at Chatmohor
Atrai-Gur river system, in the east by Nagarbari- Bogra upazila in Pabna district.
Highway, in the south by the Ichamoti and Chiknai Source: Prepared by the author based on Google Earth Image
Rivers, and on the west by the Iswardi-Parbotipur
Railway line. The Chalan beel has a gross area of The greater Chalan beel belongs to the Agro-
394,100 acres (Engineering Consultants Inc., 1970) and ecological Zone-12 (AEZ) of the Lower Ganges River
most of them are presently under cultivation. Floodplain of the mighty river Padma. Different parts of
Pabna, Sirajganj and Natore districts are belongs to this
AEZ-12. Lower Ganges River Floodplain (7,968 sq km)
region comprises the eastern half of the Ganges river
floodplain which is low-lying. The area has a typical
meander floodplain landscape of broad ridges and
basins. Soils of this region are silt loams and silty clay
loams on the ridges and silty clay loam to heavy clays
on lower sites. General soil types predominantly include
calcareous dark grey and calcareous brown floodplain
soils. Organic matter content is low in ridges and
moderate in the basins. General fertility level is
medium.

III. METHODOLOGY AND DATA COLLECTION

Figure 1: Map of the Chalan Beel indicating study area
Source: Prepared by the author through Arc GIS. A combination process of qualitative and quantitative
data collection has been followed to conduct this study.
The Chalan beel represents a huge saucer-shaped This includes the use of following tools: focused group
depression formed in the floodplain delta formed by the discussions (FGDs) with active participation of multi-
confluence of Brahamputra and Ganges Rivers (Figure
stake holder in both beneficiary groups (farmer and
1). In fact, the Chalan beel was formed when the old
fishermen) and key informant interviews (KIIs) from
Brahamputra changed its course into the Jamuna
channel. The Jamuna impeded the flow of the Padma, different key personals in relevant sectors. The survey
thereby causing the latter to deposit sediment at the was conducted to get the actual information from the
mouth of the Karatoya and Atrai rivers. The diverted local level. The survey covers at the Jienipara village of
flow of these two rivers created the beel. The southern the Beel Chiroil union under Chatmohar upazila of
edge of this Beel is flanked by the Gumani river, which Pabna district. Secondary sources of data from relevant
carries water from the beel to Mara Baral and eventually organizations like Soil Research and Development
the Jamuna river. During the rainy season, the Gumani Institute (SRDI), Bangladesh Water Development Board
overflows its bank and floods the beel. The water level (BWDB) etc were collected and analyzed.

30
 Seasonal Livelihood Variation and Scio-economic Conflict of the Chalan Beel Wetland Area

3.1 Qualitative data collection through FGD and PRA from both primary and secondary sources) are coded
It is an essential tool of participatory approach that and cleaned then a useful data set has been prepared
gives shared understanding of common concerns of using PASW (Predictive Analytics Software/SPSS) and
multiple stakeholders. A total of 6 Focus Group Microsoft Excel. Different types of maps, tables, charts,
Discussion sessions (FGDs) and 6 Participatory Rural graphs, sketches, photographs, and figures were used to
Appraisal (PRA) sessions like Resource Mapping, facilitate the analysis. To organize the write-up of the
Seasonal Hazard Calendar and Seasonal Livelihood report, Microsoft Word has been used.
Calendar for both beneficiary groups (farmer and On the basis of the analysis of collected data,
fishermen) have been conducted during the survey problems, social and economic conflicts, potentialities,
period of qualitative data collection (Photo 1 & 2). The and overall present situation have been investigated.
FGDs have been held at suitable places in the village The extracted results were used to develop an integrated
like primary school, tea stall, farming plot, village water resources development framework for the beel
mosque and youth club where the concerned people Chiroil community. A report has also been prepared that
discussed issues in details and expressed their views combines all of the analyses, graphs, charts, tables,
freely and independently. The PRA team (facilitators) maps, sketches, photographs, and recommendations.
facilitated a guided discussion in such a way so that no After all data processing and analysis was completed,
single person can dominate the process and everyone the outcomes were accumulated and organized into the
gets chances to contribute in the discussion to build a different sections comprising this research paper.
shared understanding of the issues.
IV. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
3.2 Key Informative Interviews (KII)
It is a very useful tool that gives shared The Chalan beel was once the largest beel in the
northern Bangladesh. It consisted of a series of beels
understanding of common concerns of a local
connected to one another by various channels to form a
knowledgeable/ professionals/ focal key persons like
more or less continuous sheet of water during the rainy
local Union Parishad Member, local school teacher etc. season. Like this way, Beel Chiroil is a part of greater
The KII have been held at a proper place where the Chalan beel which is located at the Chatmohar upazila
concerned person like Upazila Agriculture Officer, of Pabna district in Bangladesh. The study location of
Upazila Fisheries Officer etc discussed issues in details Chiroil beel area are also highly flood–prone areas
and express his/her views freely and independently. Key where local people are vulnerable to repeated and
Informant Interviews (KIIs) were accomplished by multiple shocks to their lives, their settlements, and their
getting in-depth understanding of the issues. livelihoods. These flood-prone areas and their people
3.3 Household survey are very vulnerable, where river flood, tornado,
excessive rainfall, drought and water logging hazards
A coded interview schedule with a good number of caused major damages in every year.
questions including multiple options has been developed
by multi-disciplinary experts of the study team. It is 4.1 Types of household group
designed to collect detail household information on To get a comprehensive idea of and information
demographic, socioeconomic, food security, farming regarding the different household groups and their
activities, household income and expenditure, characteristics, all households in the study village was
occupational information etc. After completion of the classified according to the major source of income that
orientation on data collection tools, the trained supported their livelihood. In the study village, the
enumerators and supervisors were moved to a village households were classified into two categories:
for pre-testing the interview schedule and conduct some agricultural farming group and fishermen group.
interviews. After that the relevant feedbacks were Households that are involved in agricultural farming
discussed, analyzed and developed the tools with activities directly and operate farm lands were
categorized into agricultural farming household group.
necessary suggestions to finalize the interview schedule
Households that
and check list. Household survey was conducted in the
months of August and September 2015. All the
enumerators were supervised and monitored by the
Principal Investigator and Co-Investigator for quality
assurance. The targeted respondents were household
heads of Jienipara village. In total 150 farmer
households and 30 fisherman households were selected
(100% households) from the Jienipara village of
Chatmohar upazila under Pabna district.
3.4 Data processing and analyses
The collected data for this research are of two main
types: a) quantitative and b) qualitative. For the
systematic and fruitful analysis of raw data (collected Figure 3: Types of household group in the study village.

31
 Pabna University of Science and Technology Studies, 4(1), 29-37

4.2 Demographic condition these hazards, the survey also revealed that in the early
At the time of the socioeconomic survey, a total of summer tornado have severe damage of physical
180 households were found in the Jienipara study structures at household and community level. On the
village, among them 150 households (83%) are belongs other hand, Mid of March to Mid of May are the highly
to farming household group and 30 households (17%) prone to drought hazard which create a lot of destructive
are belongs to fishermen household group. The average damages to agricultural production and relevant
household size of farming household group is 2.5 livelihoods. The months of November to January are the
persons and fishing household group is 3.2 persons. The high time for post-monsoon period. But during that
average age of farming household group is 47 years time, the Beel Chiroil community faces water logging
where 38 years for fishing household group (Table 1). hazards severely. The respondents of the study
The average year of schooling of fishing household mentioned that this hazard causes heavy loss of their
head (3.2 class) is higher than the farming household production as well as their physical structures.
head (2.5 class). The survey revealed that the household In addition flood due to siltation in the river,
size of farming group (4.9 persons) is higher than the unplanned road networks also accelerates flooding,
fishing group (4.2 persons). Compare two household Storm (irregular), fog (reduce productivity of mango,
groups labour force also higher in farming group. mustard, kalai etc.), severe rat attack in agricultural
fields, arsenic in drinking water, salinity, loss of fish
Table 1: Demographic condition of two types of species and skin diseases are main hazards identified in
Household groups (Average value) the study sites. Most of the people depend on agriculture
Variable Farming Fishermen to live their lives and most of them are agricultural
Household Household labour. Some are fisher man and business man. semi-
Group Group paka house is common. Maximum houses are made of
Total No. of 150 30 corrugated iron sheet.
Households (N)
4.4 Seasonal variation of livelihoods
Age of Household 47 38
Head (years) A livelihood system is sustainable if it can cope
Year of Schooling of 2.5 3.2 with and recover from stress and shocks, maintain or
Household head enhance its capabilities and assets, and provide
Household Size in 4.9 4.2 sustainable livelihood opportunities for the next
person generation (Chambers and Conway, 1992). Based on
assets and access to resources and opportunities
No. of Male Members 2.3 2.0 householders decide what activities to be pursued for
living. Livelihoods differ widely in different
No. of Female 2.3 2.0 environmental, social and institutional settings of a
Members community. Seasonal livelihood calendar has developed
by the local community (Figure 5).
No. of Household 2.1 1.5 Rural livelihoods of Bangladesh are highly
dependent on natural resources which are again
Labour Force
Source: Household survey data collected by the author.
dependent on the environmental and climatic condition.
Farmer and fishermen are the most dominating
4.3 Seasonal Hazards stakeholder in the greater Chalan beel region. The
The PRA sessions of hazards seasonality revealed Chalan beel communities have diversified livelihood
that the Beel Chiroil area is prone to river flood, strategies in monsoon and dry season (Photo 1 and 2).
tornado, excessive rainfall, drought and water logging.
The PRA sessions on hazards with seasonality revealed
that severe floods occurred due to excessive rainfall in
the catchments almost every year within the month of
July to October (Figure 4).
When water levels in the three major rivers rise
simultaneously and cross the danger marks in monsoon,
severe floods usually occur all over the villages of
Ganges floodplain area. The impacts of flood damage
have both socio-economic and spatial dimensions.
Floods cause considerable damage to standing crops,
livestock, houses, transportation and communication
systems and educational and other social facilities. The
month of August, September and October are the high
time for severe river floods in the study area. Apart Photo-1: The Beel Chiroil in dry season.

32
Seasonal Livelihood Variation and Scio-economic Conflict of the Chalan Beel Wetland Area

Figure 4: Seasonal hazard calendar of the Beel Chiroile.

Source: Prepared by the author based on PRA session during field survey.

Figure 5: Seasonal livelihood calendar of Beel Chiroile.

Source: Prepared by the author based on PRA session during field survey.

33
 Pabna University of Science and Technology Studies, 4(1), 29-37

The seasonal livelihood calendar revealed that

cattle and poultry rearing are practiced throughout the
year.
During monsoon open water fishing, post-monsoon
capture water fishing and during dry season local
resource based fishing tools making are the important
seasonal livelihood options for the Chiroil communities
especially for the marginal poor fishermen group (Photo
5). Apart from these many marginal male and female
headed household members are involved as farm-based
wage labourers in Rabi and Kharif-1 crop production
during November to May (Photo 6).
Photo-2: The Beel Chiroil in monsoon.
Employment in the Beel area is completely a
seasonal attribute. A visitor in July-August may find
most of the local community is unemployed and idle
due to monsoon flooding in the farmland area. The
Chiroil beel communities are engaged with different
types of primary and secondary livelihoods like:
Kharip-1 farmimg, Rabi farming, farm-based wage
labour, non-farm wage labour, cattle and poultry
rearing, fishing in open water, fishing in captured water,
homestead gardening etc. The most of the communities
are involved mainly in agriculture in dry season (Photo
3) and fishing in monsoon. Cattle and poultry raring are
an important source of income and source of nutrition
for the flood-prone Beel communities in Bangladesh. Photo-5: Open water fishing at the Chiroil.
Livestock rearing is an important alternative livelihood
Some ultra-poor male and female headed household
for the community of Chiroil also (Photo 4).
members are involved in non-farm wage labourers in
the urban areas. Sending small remittances and some
work in local non-government development works like
Food for Work (KABIKHA) program.

Photo-3: Irrigation to the farmland at the the Chiroil.

Photo-6: Making fishing tools by the fishermen.

4.5 Household income and expenditure
Table-2 presents the summary of household annual
income and expenditure status of different household
groups in the study village. The average annual income
of the farmer household group (142,000 BDT) is better
than fishing household group (113,000 BDT). Annual
household expenditure is also following in the same
way. The survey revealed that the annual expenditure
for health (32,300 BDT) is higher in the fishing group.
Photo-4: Livestock rearing at the Chiroil. It is of note that the income of farmers was high not

34
 Seasonal Livelihood Variation and Scio-economic Conflict of the Chalan Beel Wetland Area

because of their high agricultural income but because of used all over the area. With irrigation, the farmers now
the income from livestock rearing, farm-based wage grow boro paddy in the dry season except the most
labor, and small business. permeable soils. On Medium Highlands, boro paddy is
followed transplanted a man in the kharif season,
Table-2: Summary of household annual income and
occasionally by mustard. On Medium lowland soils,
expenditure status (in BDT)
boro is often followed by transplanted deep-water aman.
Variable Farming Fishing Except in the central part of the Chiroil area, which is
Households Households generally deeply flooded during the monsoon period,
the HYV boro paddy variety is grown.
(mean) (mean)
Annual Household 142,000 113,000
Income
Income from crop 107,000 54,000
farming sector
Income from non- 35,000 59,000
farming sector
Annual Household 143,400 113,200
expenditure
Annual Expenditure 76,700 69,000
for food consumption
Annual Expenditure 21,400 32,300
for health
Annual Expenditure 27,700 6,500 Figure 6: Household land ownership (in decimal)
for education Source: Household survey data by the author, 2015

Annual Expenditure 11,300 2,900 Figure 6 presents the household land ownership
for house repairing status of Jienipara study village. The average total land
ownership of Farming group is 40.82 decimal where
Source: Household survey data by the author, 2015
only 18.72 decimal for fishing group. From the survey it
The study revealed that the annual income of was found that most of the fisheries families had no
farming household group from agricultural sector is personal land for their own farming. The survey
almost double in compare to fishing household group. revealed that the average homestead area of farming
Annual income from non-farming sector is higher by the group (12.32 decimal) is almost double compare to
fishing household group. It is alarming situation that the fishing group (6.37 decimal).
annual expenditure for education (6,500 BDT) is 4.7 Socio-economic conflict between farmers and
significantly low by the fishing household group and fishermen groups
health purpose (32,300 BDT) they are paying more than
other group. As mentioned above, in addition to farming and
fishing are major occupation in the beel area. The land
4.6 Land use pattern and land ownership and water area did not differ significantly in the year
With exception of the old river channels (khals) and and seasons but differed significantly among the
some lowlands, the lands of the Chiroil are intensely months. The higher water area observed in the month of
used for agricultural production. Wherever Flooding January in 2002 image which might be presence of
conditions, soil type and availability of irrigation water surface water by rain before the satellite pass over,
allow, farmers grow two (or more) crops per year. On which increased the mean value of dry season.
Highland and Medium Highland soils, the main However, the actual situation is that very low amount of
cropping pattern is, apart from mixed horticulture, aus water was observed in the month of March in the beel
paddy or kharif-jute followed by a dryland rabi crop. area, which is the real threat to the fish and aquatic
Some land in the western part of the Chiroil may be diversity of the Chalan beel. The situation was
used for single crop of sugarcane, and some area is deteriorated further through the over use of surface and
triple cropped with jute, transplanted aman and wheat. underground water for irrigation. Therefore, the
In the Western Highlands, mixed aus and aman paddy authority should take necessary steps for maintaining
are grown in the kharif season, followed by rabi pulses aquatic biodiversity with special emphasis on fish
or wheat. During the dry season, the crop culture biodiversity to have a sustainable fish production from
depends largely on irrigation. Shallow tubewells are the this renowned in North-western Bangladesh (Sayeed et
main means of irrigation, but deep tubewells are also al, 2014).

35
 Pabna University of Science and Technology Studies, 4(1), 29-37

Different group-wise PRA and FGD sessions of this irrigation water, reduction in silt deposition and
study revealed that due to lack of per capita agricultural drainage congestion (Islam, M. N. 2017).
land the fishermen group are in backward position
compare to farming group in social kinship as well as V. CONCLUSIONS
financial sector.
Fishing on open water bodies is one of the major
Based on the analyses of data and information collected
activities in the beel area. According to my previous
the following conclusions are drawn:
study in the floodplain area (Islam et al., 2011), frequent
natural hazards increased the percentage of landless The negative impacts as reported were: sudden
people and contributed to the excess supply of the wage floods, the unavailability of irrigation water from the
labour which caused severe underemployment among River Baral, the decrease of siltation over the
them and resulted in their further impoverishment. The agricultural lands, drainage congestion resulting in
study revealed that many households drastically decrease of cultivable lands, the shortage of water in the
changed their source of income from farm wage labour agricultural sector, agricultural land erosion and sand
and farming to non-farm wage labour, rickshaw-van deposition; the reduction of depth of rivers, canals,
puller, fishing and boating. In this study it was also joins; navigation problems in marketing of agricultural
found that due to lack of land and water body products, the decrease in agro-industries, the decrease
ownership, many open water fishing groups are in natural fertility of agricultural lands due to the use
unemployed during monsoon in the Beel Chalan area. of chemical fertilizer, pesticides etc.; water pollution
They want to make a changed living pattern by and decrease in quality of jute; decrease in production
involving themselves alternative activities and they also of rabi crops and vegetables; the decrease of pasture
want to use the natural resource of Beel. But they do not lands and animal food; the decrease of unemployment in
know the appropriate procedure to use. So there is a the agricultural sector and the resettlement problems of
requirement of proper administrative involvement to the farmers.
make proper guideline for the proper use of resources After the construction of the Jienipara canal the
by the communal people to safeguard their livelihood farmers could not use water from the River Baral for
pattern (K. R. Sumi et al, 2015). irrigation. The yields of the agricultural crops also
decreased comparatively due to the shortage of
With declining fish stock and catch and soaring fish
irrigation water, reduction in silt deposition and
prices in the areas, the wealthy people have taken
drainage congestion. As reported, 24.9% of the total
control over the fishing grounds. Fishing in open water
cultivable lands were affected per year due to drainage
bodies is now severely restricted, only allow when the congestion while 96 ha of lands were affected by sand
water level is high. Due to ownership of submergible deposition per year during flood season in the study
land of Chiroil by the farming household group, they
area. Controlling of the Jienipara canal sluice gate in the
demanded the share of open water fishing to the
chiroil has created some problems among the stake-
fishermen group. In the post monsoon season the land
holders and socio-economic conflict among the natural
owners of the low marshy lands are protested to the
resource-based livelihood groups. In this regards,
fishermen group. By this way the minority fishermen integrated water resources management system may
group are deprived from other social services and bring a sustainable solution for the local communities of
benefits from the society. Though in previous time
area. Community-based fish sanctuaries should be
everybody has free access to the submergible area
established in important areas throughout the Chalan .
during monsoon, but now a days it is quite difficult due
Some sanctuaries should be made permanent so that
to multiple livelihood options by the farming household
nobody can catch fish, while others should be open for
group to extract natural resources from the area. In catching fish in alternative years. A number of
addition the farming household group control the
responses might be considered which will enable the
Jienipara canal sluice gate for their own benefit like
community to address climate change related
crop harvesting before flood season, prepare seedling
vulnerability. An early warning system needs to be
bed in the post monsoon stage, culture fisheries in the
developed which will allow farmers to have sufficient
low marshy land of area etc. As a result it was found lead time to bring their harvest home before being
that some social and economic conflict happened among washed away by the onrushing runoff. People in
the communities.
general, specifically women should be exposed to
Hossain et al., (2009) also found in their study that
alternative livelihoods, with adequate skills
much of the damage to the habitat and biodiversity of
enhancement training facilitation. A women-focused
the Chalan over recent decades is likely to be
value chain approach should be considered in order to
irreversible, it has been estimated that three to four enhance their capacity to gradually rely on alternative
times more fish production annually could be ensured if livelihoods for monsoon which are not as sensitive to
the existing water areas were brought under proper
changes in climate system.
management. The yields of the agricultural crops also
have decreased comparatively due to the shortage of

36
 Seasonal Livelihood Variation and Scio-economic Conflict of the Chalan Beel Wetland Area

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT 61 (9&10), pp. 159-171.

Islam, M. N. (2017). Socio-economic conflict between
The author would like to thanks the Ministry of Science Farmer and Fishermen group to extract water
resources at the Chalan beel region in Bangladesh. In
and Technology (MoST) for their financial support
Islam, S and Khalequzzaman (Eds.), Sustainable
under research project to collect field level data and Development Goals and Bangladesh Environment.
information. The author would also like to show his Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon (BAPA) and
appreciation to the local people of the Jienipara village Bangladesh Environmental Network (BEN),
under the Chiroil beel of Pabna. Bangladesh (pp.157-167).
K. R. Sumi, M. R. Sharker, M. L. Ali, S. N. Pattader, Z.
Ferdous and M. M. Ali, (2015). Livelihood status of
REFERENCES Gher farmers of Beel Dakatia in Khulna district,
Bangladesh. International Journal of Aquatic Science,
Banglapedia (2004). National Encyclopedia of Bangladesh, Vol. 6, No. 1, 45-53.
Asiatic Society of Bangladesh, 1st edn. February 2004. Mostafa A. R., Hossain, M. A., Nahiduzzaman, M., Sayeed,
Dhaka, Bangladesh. Available from URL: M. A., Azim, M. E., Wahab, M. A., & Olin, P. G.
www.banglapedia.org. (2009). The Chalan beel in Bangladesh: Habitat and
Chambers, R. & Conway, R. (1992). Sustainable Rural biodiversity degradation, and implications for future
livelihood; Practical concept for the 21st century, management. Lakes & Reservoirs: Research &
Discussion paper, IDS No. 296. Management, 14(1), 3-19.
Engineering Consultants Inc, (1970) Feasibility Report of the Paul, S. K., & Hossain, M. N. (2013). People’s perception
Chalan Beel Project, Draft Report, East Pakistan about flood disaster management in Bangladesh: a
Water and Power Development Authority, Dhaka, pp. case study on the Chalan Beel Area. Stamford J
1.1-I.6. Environ Hum Habitat, 2, 72-86.
Hossain, M., M. Nahiduzzaman, M. A. Sayeed, M. E. Azim, Sayeed M. A., S. Hashem, M. A. Salam, M. A. R. Hossain,
M. A. Wahab and P. G. Olin (2009). The Chalan Beel and M. A. Wahab (2014). Assessment of Chalan beel
in Bangladesh: Habitat and biodiversity degradation, Ecosystem Diversity through Remote Sensing and
and implications for future management, Lakes & Geographical Information Systems. International
Reservoirs: Research and Management,14, 3–19. Journal of Innovation and Applied Studies, 7(1), 353-
Islam, M. N., M. Z. Islam and K. Fujita, (2011). Coping with 365.
flood disaster: household level responses by the char- Shahnaz, K. (2005). Drastic fall in Chalan beel fish
dwellers on the river Padma in Bangladesh, Indian production. Holiday-internet Edition.
Journal of Power and River Valley Development, Vol. http://www.weeklyholiday.net/2005/090905/env.

37

View publication stats