Outcome of the Bangladesh Scoping Study of the Water Security in Peri-Urban South Asia Project

1. Water Security in Peri-Urban South Asia:
Adapting to Climate Change and Urbanization
Second Coordination Workshop
22-26 March 2011
Khulna, Bangladesh
Outcome of
SCOPING STUDY
Khulna Site
Institute of Water and Flood Management,
Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology

2. Khulna City
Third largest metropolitan city
- Population 1.4 million (3.8% growth)
- Area 46 sq. km
- On the banks of Rupsha-Bhairab (Ganges
tidal plain)
- Mayur river system is central to stormwater
and wastewater drainage, water supply,
ecosystem and livelihood
Water institutions:
- KDA, KCC, Khulna WASA, Union-level
community organizations
- Strong NGO, civil society mobilization around
water (Coastal Water Convention 2011)
- Mayor popular across party lines

3. Khulna City
Urbanization stress on peri-urban
communities
- Land conversion and depleting waterbodies
- Wastewater discharge
Adverse impacts on livelihoods
Displacement of the poor
Possible climate change impacts
- Sea level rise resulting in salinity intrusion,
drainage congestion and storm surge
flooding
Adverse impacts on vulnerable communities

4. Objectives of Scoping Study
• Understand socioeconomic and biophysical contexts of different
vulnerable groups
• Understand dimensions and extents of research issues
• Identify key research questions
• Identify final study sites for research and action

5. Methodology of Scoping Study
Steps/Activities:
•Preliminary identification of vulnerable communities
•Identification of research issues
•Selection of preliminary sites
•Selection of study sites for further study.

6. Methodology of Scoping Study
Approach:
Participatory learning
Tools/Process:
• Stakeholder meetings
• FGDs
• Transect walks
• Social mapping
• Key informant interviews
• Literature review

7. Methodology of Scoping Study
Social mapping at South Labonchara FGD at Chhoto Boyra.
Meeting with Khulna Development Authority Consultation with NGOs and civil society

8. Major Outcome of Scoping Study
Preliminary Sites
Name of Site Primary Water Use
1 Alutala 10-vent sluice gate Domestic, agricultural and
fisheries (capture and culture)
2 South Labonchara (near Domestic, agricultural and
two sluice gates) industrial
2 South Labonchara (Matha Domestic, agricultural and
Bhanga Village) industrial
3 Mohammodia Para Domestic, agricultural and
industrial
4 North Labonchara (near Domestic and industrial
Rupsha bridge)
5 Mohmmad Nagar (Zero- Domestic, agricultural and
point) industrial
6 Gollamary bridge Domestic and industrial
7 Boyra (near Boyra Domestic, agricultural and
residential area) industrial
8 Chhoto Boyra (Shashan Domestic and agricultural
Ghat)
9 Nirala (beside Nirala Domestic and agricultural
residential area)
10 Dowlatpur Domestic and agricultural
11 Khalishpur industrial zone Domestic and industrial
12 Rupsha ferry ghat Domestic, industrial and water
transport

9. Major Outcome of Scoping Study
Special Issues
• Water scarcity for drinking, washing, sanitation and agricultural use
• Vulnerability to wastewater discharge, solid waste dumping (Mayur river),
flooding and water logging
• Vulnerability to climate change induced sea level rise and salinity intrusion
• Salinity, excessive iron and arsenic in groundwater
• Absence of community participation in (Alutala) sluice gate operation and
management
• Absence of community participation and institutional arrangement for water
management
• Conflict between upstream and downstream (Mayur river) water users
• Conflict between urban and peri-urban water users

10. Major Outcome of Scoping Study
Site-specific Issues
Name of Site Socio-economic Characteristics Issues/Problems Identified
Alutala 10-vent Alutala is about 10 km from Khulna city  Acute drinking water scarcity.
sluice gate boundary. It is situated at Botiaghata thana  Conflict between upstream and downstream (Mayur
of Khulna district. Agriculture and culture river) water users.
fisheries are two major activities at this  Vulnerability to climate change induced sea level rise.
location. People are mostly dependent on  Vulnerability to flooding and water logging.
agricultural labor, and capture and culture  Salinity intrusion in groundwater.
fisheries.  Absence of community participation in sluice gate
operation and management.
South Labonchara Situated beside the Rupsha-Bhairab river.  Acute water scarcity for drinking, washing and sanitation.
(near two sluice About 250-300 households on the river  Conflict between urban and peri-urban water users.
gates) bank are vulnerable to annual flooding,  Vulnerability to climate change induced sea level rise.
GPS Coordinates: drinking water scarcity, river erosion and  Vulnerability to flooding and water logging.
N 22046.110’ climate change impacts. Most people of  Salinity, excessive iron and arsenic in groundwater.
E 89034.541’ this location are dependent on informal  Absence of community participation and institutional
business in city and nearby agriculture and framework.
fish firms.  Lack of sluice gate management (gates are non-
functional).
South Labonchara Situated between Alutala and two sluice  Very few tube wells for a large number of households
(Matha Bhanga gates of South Labonchara. Around 500 (250-300).
Village) households are located on the river bank  Vulnerability to climate change induced sea level rise.
(Rupsha-Bhairab). Most people at this  Salinity, excessive iron and arsenic in groundwater.
location are day laborer in the nearby jute  Absence of community participation and institutional
industries, and agriculture or fish firms. framework for water management.

11. Major Outcome of Scoping Study
Site-specific Issues
Name of Site Socio-economic Characteristics Issues/Problems Identified
North Labonchara People living in about 800-1000  Very few tube wells for a large number of households
(near Rupsha bridge) households are engaged in informal (300-400).
GPS Coordinates: business in the city area. Women of this  Water logging due to urban wastewater discharge.
N 22046.694’ locality are mostly engaged in making  Vulnerability to climate change induced sea level rise.
E 89034.559’ packets from waste paper and supplying to  Salinity, excessive iron and arsenic in groundwater.
the city area.  Absence of community participation and institutional
framework for water management.
Chhoto Boyra This is an agriculture-dominated area near  Acute water scarcity for drinking, washing and bathing,
(Shashan Ghat) the KCC. Farmers are dependent on the and agricultural uses.
GPS Coordinates: Mayur river for agriculture. A significant  Conflict between urban and peri-urban water users.
N 22049.521’ number of people in this area are engaged  Vulnerability to flooding and water logging, and solid
E 89031.765’ in business in the city. waste dumping in the Mayur river.
 Salinity, excess iron and arsenic contamination in
groundwater.
 Absence of community participation and institutional
framework for water management.

12. Key Research Questions
• What are the contexts and dynamics of urbanization process in Khulna, and
what are the roles of different actors in this process?
• What are the impacts of urbanization on peri-urban areas? What are the
linkages among urban, peri-urban and rural areas? What are the consequent
changes in livelihood and social dynamics?
• What are the history and current status of :
o water availability in terms of source, quantity, quality, access, affordability
and capacity?
o urban wastewater discharge and solid waste management that in turn
affect the peri-urban areas?
o flooding, drainage congestion and water logging?
• What are the impacts of climate change? What are the physical
vulnerabilities?
• What are the vulnerabilities of the communities to water insecurity stressors?
What are the impacts on different capitals – social, institutional, etc.?
• What are the strategies of the communities to reduce the vulnerabilities?
How would the communities implement these strategies?

13. Lets make some positive change!