Abstract
This paper explores the internal migration of fishers from coastal communities of Bangladesh in response to extreme weather events. It also assesses vulnerabilities to extreme climate events of these coastal areas in general and of targeted fishing communities specifically. This qualitative study employs a combination of methods, semi-structured interviews and observations, in two villages located in the Eastern part of Bangladesh’s Kalapara Upazila of Patuakhali district. The results indicate that participants are highly vulnerable to extreme climate events due to their households’ socio-economic and geographical position. However, only very few people migrate to escape from the vulnerabilities though they remain underrepresented. These people are not adequately recorded in national or regional migration data. Most people from the fishing communities do not migrate to other places as they have a high dependency on fish-related activities. Instead, they develop their own traditional adaptation mechanisms to ensure their survival. This study also explores various socio-economic and cultural factors that hinder migration such as Mohajon-Dadon system, migration costs, lack of skills and resources, and fear of income insecurity.
Presenters
Mozharul IslamAssistant Professor, Department of Sociology, Istanbul Sabahattin Zaim University, Turkey
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
KEYWORDS
Climate Change, Internal Migration, Fishing Communities, Adjustment Mechanism, Coastal Areas
