Author: Shahidur Rahman
AIT Library Call Number: AIT Thesis no. HS-82-17
Year: 1982
Academic Program: Human Settlement (HS)
Type: Thesis (M.Sc.) – Asian Institute of Technology, 1988
Examination Committee: A.T.M. Nurul Amin (Chairperson); Karl E. Weber, Everette M. Ressler, E. Desingu Setty, (Examination Committee Members)
Abstract: The river plays a crucial role in the economy of Bangladesh which is predominantly an agricultural one. The land which is the basic source of such economic life, although one of the best in the world for agriculture, is subject to devastating effects from frequent floods and bank erosions. This study takes up the latter problem and its consequences on human settlements, since erosion of land , which dominates almost all the economic activities and acts as a sole source of income for 90 percent of rural population with meager per capita landholding . Loss of land to river erosion often permanent and it strikes at the very root of the livelihood of those who are dependent on the land. In pursuance of the issues concerning the problem, this takes up one the typical erosion proneupazila, Hizla, located in the lower estuary of the two mighty rivers of Bangaldesh. Starting with problem identification, it focuses on the exploration of the coping mechanism at the individual and household levels, and analysis of tradition responses. The analysis of the consequences of population displacement, makes it evident that sole reliance on agriculture as a occupation need to be reduced considerably to mitigate the severity of the distress of erosion-affected displaces. The result of the research shows that a shift from agriculture to non – agriculture occupations facilitate coping with the effects of erosion. The study reveals that those having some education, skills, and experiences in some non – agricultural occupation have the advantage with coping in the post erosion period than those who are principally dependent on farming only. The high inter-Union migration in the Upazila suggests the scope of bringing change in the pattern of human settlements within the Upazila according to the relative safety of particular Union from erosion. The inter- Union migration is a response to erosion as well as accretion of land. The accretion is as common as erosion . But no planned approach in exploitation of
Scholarship Donor(s): Canadian International Development Agency
Note: A Thesis Submitted in Partial Fulfilment of the Requirements for t he Award of the Degree of Master of Science
Advisory: Full-text is available at https://library.ait.ac.th/ (accessible to local ip address only)
