Increasing Biodiversity in the Coastal Belt of Bangladesh during Climate Change to Enhance Environmental Sustainability

Abstract

The impacts of climate change in Bangladesh's coastal belt are on increase in temperature, changes in cropping, irregular rainfall and increased salinity. The coastal belt  farmers are usually following single cropping with rice in rainy season. This has lead to decrease in biodiversity, loss of soil fertility and increased use of crop care products. This action Research was conceptualized as a Lab to Land activities with 3200 farm families over a period of two years in 8 locations of Patuakhali, Barisal and Borguna. The aim behind the research was to bring changes in the cropping practices, which would tackle climate change enhance their livelihood. Each family comprised of a male and a female farmer. It aimed at increasing biodiversity through cultivation of cereals, vegetables, pulses and oilseeds apart from rice. The women members were trained for cultivation of vegetables through year round homestead gardening. This increase in biodiversity through rotation of crops adaptive to climate changes will lead to better use of the soil, retain fertility and the water table. Biodiversity has already started increasing, since the participatory farmers have begun to realize the importance of crop rotation and a healthy cropping pattern. For example, crops which are less water consuming than Boro rice are being cultivated. Mung bean cultivation has increased along with total available nitrogen. In conclusion a diverse climate smart cropping pattern will emerge and may lead to environmental sustainability.