Climate variability and change in northwestern Bangladesh: Role of small-holder agroforestry in adaptation to desertification.

Abstract:

 Though Bangladesh is predominantly a riverine country, the northwestern region is threatened by desertification. In addition to the environmental consequences, desertification is also threatening the livelihood of rural people. This is also one of the forest poor regions of the country. Hence, it is urgently required to increase vegetation cover through development of small-holder agroforestry traditionally adopted by rural people within their homesteads. This agroforestry system in drought-prone areas provides a healthy ecosystem for humans, animals, birds, livestock and miscellaneous flora and fauna. The present study has been conducted to explore the people’s perception towards the trend of desertification and identify the role of small-holder agroforestry in adaptation to and mitigation of desertification.  A questionnaire survey among randomly selected householders; key informants’ interview and expert level consultation had been administered throughout the study. Results of the study show that planting and maintaining trees and other plants around the living quarters is an age-old practice. In the absence of government forests, rural people are highly dependent on small-holder agroforestry to meet their demand for forest products, including timber, fuel, fruit, and non-timber stuffs. The study estimated that about 85% of the timber and 90% of the wood fuel consumed in the area are produced in these agroforestry systems. The study found that the people hold various perceptions towards the trend of desertification in the study area. But they hold a common perception that small-holder agroforestry can play vital roles both in greening this drought-prone region and ensuring an alternative livelihood. The study concludes that household level coping and adaptation strategies may include livelihood diversification through intensification of traditional homestead agroforestry and massive homestead afforestation with indigenous species to increase tree cover. In view of the findings, national policies might focus on promotion of inhabitants’ indigenous knowledge regarding environmentally friendly agroforestry land use in drought-prone areas.