Ortolano, LeonardSánchez-Triana, ErnestoPaul, Tapas2017-12-042017-12-042016-07-12International Journal of Water Resources Development0790-0627https://hdl.handle.net/10986/28934Persistent 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.CC BY-NC-ND 3.0 IGOSUNDARBANSWEST BENGALCLIMATE CHANGEWATER RESOURCE MANAGEMENTRISKSPOLICYINSTITUTIONSJournal ArticleWorld Bank10.1596/28934