Impact of Climate Change on Bedey Community of Bangladesh: Issues and Ways Forward

Abstract Once in Bangladesh there were around 1500 rivers flowed through. Today, due to various natural phenomenon including climate change and human interventions, the number has reduced to 405. The process of dying of the... [ view full abstract ]

Abstract

Once in Bangladesh there were around 1500 rivers flowed through. Today, due to various natural phenomenon including climate change and human interventions, the number has reduced to 405. The process of dying of the rivers is still going on. The total length of the rivers was about 24,149 km. in 1971, which has been reduced to 3800 km. now.

The earth surface is distinctly divided into two types: the water and the land surface. Human beings have preferred to live on land with only exception the Gypsy communities those live mainly on rivers. Locally this community is known as Bedey. There are around eight lac people of the gypsy community in Bangladesh. The number is increasing along with overall population growth.

Bedeys traditionally live on and travel place to place by boat, earn their livelihood on land nearby mostly on snake related trading, entertainment services, spiritual healing services etc.

Climate change is an adverse consequence of global warming which is also affecting Bangladesh. The mean temperature in Bangladesh has increased by about 0.75 0C in the last century and about 0.30 0C over the past 40 years. The impacts of climate change in Bangladesh have been identified as sea level rise, erratic precipitation regimes, higher tidal inundation, inland intrusion of saline water and soil erosion etc. Water environment has been directly and severely affected due to climate change. Surface waters are drastically being reduced in the dry periods and flooding is experienced in the monsoon in majority of the areas for overflowing of water from rivers. Both the situations are not friendly for living on the rivers. Furthermore climate change is also hampering the livelihood of the river Gypsies of Bangladesh.

This paper discusses the impact of climate change on the living environment and livelihoods of the Bedey community of Bangladesh and finally suggests some ways to mitigate the issues.

Key words: Bedey, climate change, temperature rise, rivers, livelihood.