International conference on Climate Change in relation to Water and Environment (I3CWE-2015) Department of Civil Engineering DUET - Gazipur, Bangladesh

INDIGENOUS KNOWLEDGE PRACTICE TO ADAPT WITH THE CLIMATE CHANGE: A CASE STUDY IN PATHARGHATA UNION OF BARGUNA DISTRICT Md. Shafiqul Islam1, Md. Hamidul Islam2, Tania Yeasmin3, Md. Tanzilur Rahman4, Sourav Paul5 and Tapos Kormoker6 ABSTRACT: The paper summarizes the indigenous knowledge which has been practiced to adapt with the climate change by the people of communities over a long period. The study was conducted in Patharghata union under Barguna district which is surrounded by rivers. Due to its geographical location people facing in every year by a couple of climate induced disasters such as cyclone, tidal flood, river erosion, saline water intrusion etc. The technique of this study includes quantitative and qualitative survey method with a structured questionnaire where 30 (thirty) households were randomly selected. The main aim of this study is to identify the indigenous knowledge practiced by the people for adapting with the climate change impact. It also recorded the community perception about the climate change and using indigenous knowledge how they have taken effective preparation to save their life and assets. Finally, it also introduces some traditional technology that practice by the community people including elevated homestead area, raising plinth level of house, observing the sign in nature for disaster forecasting, making holes for putting dried food, valuable documents. Also they have practiced to keep store grains in Dola, Machan, Sika which used as a local name. That indigenous knowledge which practiced by this community people are playing a greater role in disaster risk reduction as well as to adapt with the changing climate from many years ago. Keywords: adaptation, climate change, disaster, mitigation, indigenous knowledge.

1. Introduction Bangladesh is inherently associated with natural disaster due to its geographical vulnerability. The country is a remarkably flat, low-lying, alluvial plain covered by over 230 rivers and rivulets with nearly 580 kilometers of exposed coastline along the Bay of Bengal. As a result of this geography, Bangladesh frequently suffers from devastating floods, cyclones and storm surges, tornadoes, riverbank erosion, and drought as well as creating a very high-risk location for devastating seismic activity (Universal, 2008). Particularly the coastal part of Bangladesh is more vulnerable to natural hazards like Barguna district. Different traditional and scientific knowledge have been used to cope with disasters in our country. There are many noticeable examples of communities who have used indigenous knowledge to survive disastrous events and cope with difficult environmental circumstances. The people in Patharghata union of Barguna district use indigenous knowledge to reduce risk and survive with extreme climate change impacts. Recent natural disasters provide many lessons for practitioners and policy makers on the value of indigenous knowledge for disaster risk reduction. Indigenous knowledge denotes to the methods 1

Md. Shafiqul Islam, MS in Disaster Management, Dept. of Geography and Environment, University of Dhaka, Bangladesh, Email: [email protected] 2* Md. Hamidul Islam, Dept. of BECM, KUET, Bangladesh, Email: [email protected] 3 Tania Yeasmin, MS in Disaster Management, Dept. of Geography and Environment, University of Dhaka, Bangladesh, Email: [email protected] 4 Md. Tanzilur Rahman, Faculty of Disaster Management, PSTU, Bangladesh, Email: [email protected] 5 Sourov Paul, Faculty of Disaster Management, PSTU, Bangladesh, Email: [email protected] 6 Tapos Kormoker, Faculty of Disaster Management, PSTU, Bangladesh, Email: [email protected] 1|P age

and practices developed by a group of people from an advanced understanding of the local environment, which has formed over many generations of habitation. This knowledge contains numerous other significant characteristics which distinguish it from other types of knowledge. These comprise originating within the community, maintaining a non-formal means of dissemination, collectively owned, developed over several generations and subject to adaptation, and surrounded in a community’s way of life as a means of survival ( Shaw, 2008) . A growing awareness of the value of indigenous knowledge has prompted calls for its use within disaster risk reduction. The use of indigenous knowledge alongside scientific knowledge is progressively advocated. This paper delivers a literature review and analysis of best practices and available tools for the use of indigenous and traditional knowledge and its practices for disaster risk reduction and tools for understanding and assessing impacts, vulnerability and adaptation to disaster. This paper also highlights the best practices and available tools for adapting with climate change by using indigenous knowledge in the Patharghata union. Aims of the Study To identify the indigenous knowledge practiced by the people for adapting with the climate change impact. It also recorded the community perception about the climate change and using indigenous knowledge how they have taken effective preparation to save their life and assets for disaster response and mitigation. 2. Materials and Methods 2.1 Study area The study was conducted in Patharghata Union of Barguna districts. This area is situated in the southern coastal belt in Bangladesh. Table 1: Study Area profile Area (Acre)

Population Both

Male

12521

28491

14242

Literacy rate (%)

Types of house

Femal e

Population density [per sq.km]

Total

Pucka (%)

14249

562

57.6

7214

0.8

Semipucka (%) 2.8

Kutcha (%)

Jhupri (%)

95.0

1.4

Source: BBS, 2011 and author’s calculation, 2013 2.2 Data collection Both quantitative and qualitative research methods were employed to collect data for the study. A detailed field survey was conducted through in depth interview using both open and closed-ended questionnaire. The study attempts to explore the local perception about climate change and disasters impacts on livelihood, assets and economy and at the same time how they cope and adapt with this natural calamity by using indigenous practices were discussed and identified. For better knowing people perception about indigenous knowledge and practices to adapt with adverse effects of climate change, Focus Group Discussion (FGD), Key informants Interview (KII) were conducted. Besides that Bangladesh Bureau of statistics (BBS), Patharghata union and upazila parishad, Barguna district office and relevant articles were used for getting information’s to complete the study. 2.3 Sample Size and Sampling A total of 30 (Thirty) households were randomly selected. The study populations included different ages with different professions as given below; Age (young 21-35) 2|P age

Sex ( Male and female) Level of education (Illiterate, Primary, Secondary, Higher). Occupation ( Farmer, Fisherman, Day labor, Businessman) Moreover 5 FGDs with selected respondents and 3 KII were carried out to fulfill the study. 3. Results and Discussions 3.1 Identification of disasters Past records indicate that every year a couple of disasters attack on Patharghata union of Barguna district. On the basis of past records the study identified major disaster in the study area are as follows;

Cyclone

Coastal flooding

Salinity Intrusion

River bank erosion

10%

18% 12%

60%

Figure 1: Percentage of different types of disaster according to their impact and frequency 3.2 Practiced indigenous knowledge The study revealed that people of this union practiced different types of indigenous knowledge knowingly or unknowingly. For better comprehending to the readers about the indigenous knowledge practiced by the coastal people, the study is separated two parts of the indigenous knowledge as given below; Structural measures and Non-structural measures 3.3 Structural measures The study unfolded various types of structural measures of indigenous knowledge for adapting and mitigating the disaster risks which have been practiced by the community people from many years ago. Those practices are mentioned below with their nature and effectiveness; 3.3.1   

Elevation of house basement 6-8 ft. elevated house plinth level by maximum people of this union 65% people practiced It protects the house from high storm surge water and collapse Table 2: Elevation level of house platform in the study area

Number of surveyed house

Elevation level of house basement (ft.) 1-3 3-5 6-8 9 and above 4 7 17 2

Maximum flood or cyclonic storm surge height (ft.) 8-9

Source: Field survey, 2013

It is seen that maximum house platform raised up 6 to 8 ft. to protect from the cyclonic storm 3|P age

surge or high speed flood water.

Figure 2: Raised Homestead Platform 3.3.2 Elevating the livestock firm  The study found that 68% people (who have been raring the livestock) raised their livestock firm up to 5-8 ft.  This practice helps to protect the livestock during cyclonic storm surge

Figure 3: Raised Platform for Livestock 3.3.3 Elevating the platform for storing livestock food  People generally built 5-7 ft. platform height  It is made of soil with a bamboo or wooden stick in the middle that can be tied to a surrounding strong tree  64% people (who have been raring the livestock) practiced  It is used for preserving the livestock food (dry straw or grass) from natural disasters like cyclone

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Figure 4: Elevated platform for livestock food 3.3.4 Elevating the land for cultivation  Raising platform at several heights depending on water height (range from 4-8ft), excavating a canal bounded the elevated area and using water for irrigation  This practice protects the standing crops from water and reduce crop damage from water logging

Figure 5: Elevating platform for land cultivation 3.3.5

Separate room for foods and grain storage  People usually made Dola, Sika, Machan, Motka for preserving food  These are made by mud, hogol pata, bamboo, cow dung, rope etc.  Food and grains are preserved in those traditional store rooms for emergencies  People said that this practice is lessening gradually Table 3 : Status of food stored practice in the study area Food stored Number of respondents Yes 17 No 13 Total 30 Source : Field survey, 2013

Percentage (%) 56.67 43.33 100

The study has been found that out of 30 household respondents only 17 households stored food for emergencies. 5|P age

3.3.6

Raising the road and pond bank height than the flood level  Maximum Kutcha Roads elevated at 6 to 8 ft.  Village people working together for elevating the damaged roads  This raised road helps to protect from tidal surge and salinity intrusion  Pond bank height generally found at 7-9 ft.  Pond bank elevated by mud and planting trees around the pond  This measure helps to protect the fish species during the disaster and keep safe water from salinity intrusion

Figure 6: Raising road height

Figure 7: Raising pond bank

3.4 Non-structural measures The study has been found various types of non-structural indigenous knowledge which practiced by the people of this area for predicting the disasters and also for adapting with the adverse climatic conditions. 3.4.1 Indigenous indicators for cyclone prediction Indigenous cyclone prediction indicators used by the people of this upazila are as follows; a)Strong wind blowing from south or southeast, b) Unfamiliar weather condition, c) Wind blowing in the deep sea like a sphere, d) Strangely hot water in river or sea, e) unusual color of water (dark/ cloudy etc.) f) Increase the water in the river, lake during the cyclone originate, g)abnormal animal behaviors, h) Vast roar of the sea, i) Ants climb towards the higher place, j) Cattle and dogs wail limitlessly at night before cyclone, k) sea birds flying towards to inland, l) bees move in cluster in the sky, m) increases Mosquitoes, n) Birds fly without destination 3.4.2 Disaster prediction indicators from environmental perspective During the discussion with the people of the study area some disaster prediction indicators of environmental perspective were identified as follows; a) patterns and direction change of wind, b) snakes gathering around the bridges is a sign of earlier warning of disaster, c) Unusual noises made by eagles and seagulls, d) Unusual crowing of crows, chirping of squirrels, e) unusual behavior of dogs, cats, f) Unusual changes of certain plants, g) sudden bearing of fruit or flowering in certain plants etc. are used as a disaster prediction in the environmental point of view. 3.4.3 Use of flexible cloths during disaster The female respondents said that the traditional dress (Shari) made them unable to run rapidly or swimming for reaching the safer place during disasters. For that maximum women now are wearing comfortable cloth such as Salwar kamij that can lessen their physical vulnerability at time of disasters.

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3.4.4   

Plantation of trees surrounding the house People generally plants Palmyra tree, Dates tree and Loha tree around the house They usually keep minimum distance of 20-25 meter between the tree and the house It supports to protect the house from cyclonic high wind and this measure make the house more resilient against cyclone

Figure 8: Plantation trees surrounding the houses 4. Conclusion The study has attempted to identify and analyze the practices of indigenous knowledge and their effectiveness regarding the role in Disaster Risk Reduction in Patharghata Union. The research exposed that, generally, the people of this area have a variety of indigenous knowledge, beliefs and practices and they use these for the purpose of reducing disaster risks such as disaster prediction, early warning, disaster prevention, food security etc. Those indigenous knowledge and beliefs of local people in the area is proved as an important basis for facing the even greater challenges of natural disaster. Although their strategies may not succeed completely, they are effective to some extent and that is why the people continue to follow these. This study recommends that various strategies should be developed and implemented to improve the role of indigenous knowledge in Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) such as incorporating indigenous knowledge along with scientific knowledge for getting the best result in the field of disaster management. In conclusion, it can be strongly said that indigenous knowledge can add value and plays a crucial role to adapt with adverse effects of climate change as well as in Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR). 5. Acknowledgements Authors are very much thankful to the people of Patharghata Union for helping by answering various types of questions regarding this study. This study wouldn’t be possible without their cooperation. Authors also express their deep gratitude to the Chairman of the Patharghata Union Parishad and Various personnel of Patharghata Upazila and Barguna district office. 6. References Ahmed. Adaptation options for managing water related extreme events under climate change regime: Bangladesh perspectives. 2005 BBS (Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics) 2011. Statistical Year Book of Bangladesh. Dhaka, Bangladesh: Bangladesh Bureau of Statistic, Ministry of Planning 7|P age

Shaw, R. Indigenous Knowledge for Disaster Risk Reduction: Good Practices and Lessons Learned from Experiences in the Asia-Pacific Region. 2008 Universal, C. Indigenous Knowledge and Practices on Mitigation In the Upazilas of Mirzagonj and Pathargata. Community Based Disaster Risk Reduction Project (DIPECHO-V). March, 2010.

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