1. Climate Change and Vulnerability of Coastal Communities in Bangladesh: Preliminary Observations on Villager Perceptions of Climate and Non-climate Stressors Presentation at the 5th International Conference, Community-based Adaptation held in Dhaka during 24-31 March 2011 By Mokhlesur Rahman And Bob Pokrant School of Social Sciences and Asian Languages Curtin University, Perth WA, Australia

3. One of the country’s main brackish water shrimp farming areas

4. Impacted by upstream withdrawal of water mainly from the River Ganges through Farakka Barrage

5. Local livelihood base varies: land-water-forest based resources to rice/shrimp farming

7. Rice farming is major livelihoods

8. No dependence on Sundarbans

9. Poor subsists on wage laboring, earth cutting, seasonal fishing, van pulling, out migration

11. Shrimp farming village

12. Poor heavily dependent on Sundarbans, rivers and lower estuary for livelihoods

13. Severely affected by the Cyclone Aila S u n d e r b a n s To Bay of Bengal

14. Community views on weather No specific awareness of CC; main reference is to weather . Understanding varies by occupation, political status, gender etc. E.g, Fishers: Increased cyclones/ rough sea weather (disrupt fishing efforts- loss of income), cyclone induced siltation (degrades fish habitats, fish stock shifted), drought (affect fish migration and breeding –less fish) Rice farmers: Increased drought (crop damage), erratic rainfall (crop damage), salinity (crop loss), lack of freshwater (hampers boro rice farming)

17. Previous development impacts have complicated how to make CC impact assessment

18. Climate-resilience means better homes, embankments, drainage, freshwater availability, good governance, etc.

20. Thanks from the climate hotspot- Munshigonj, Shaymnagar, Satkhira, Bangladesh