Publication: Managing Water-Related Risks in the West Bengal Sundarbans: Policy Alternatives and Institutions
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Date
2016-07-12
ISSN
0790-0627
Published
2016-07-12
Author(s)
Paul, Tapas
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Abstract
Persistent pressures from water-related threats – sea-level rise, soil and water salinization, and flooding due to embankment overtopping and failure – have made the West Bengal Sundarbans a challenging place to live, and effects of global climate change will only worsen conditions. Four alternative policy directions are examined: business as usual; intensive rural development; short-term out-migration of residents; and embankment realignment and facilitation of voluntary, permanent out-migration. The last of these is the recommended approach. Study findings have informed ongoing deliberations to build consensus on future policy directions for reducing the region’s vulnerability to natural disasters.
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