A Review on Adaptation Practices of Affected People with Riverine Floods in Bangladesh

Abstract

Bangladesh is a riverine country. Every year flood devastated Bangladesh. Therefore, response and adaptation strategies of flood affected people are important for planning future mitigation action. Present study focuses to review on adaptation practices of affected people with riverine floods in Bangladesh to reduce vulnerability of awaited flood. Consequently, they adopt several adaptation techniques by their life long experience. The major adaptation practiced of the people are raise homesteads using ‘dig-elevate-dwell’ principle of settlement, cultivate flood tolerant paddy (e.g. bona aman), cultivate vegetables in floating bed, tube well have been placed on an elevated base or raised with an additional pipe, and cementing the base of tube well. People also use their indigenous knowledge to cure diseases during flood. Hence, holy basil, and basak (Adhatoda Vasica) are used to treat colds and fevers. On the contrary, durba grass, gando badal (Gaultheria Fragrantissima), garden mint, and Indian pennywort are used for diarrhea and dysentery. Basically, people’s indigenous adaptation techniques have helped them to reduce damages of property and lives as well. Therefore, various types of adaptation should incorporate at the local level plan and implement by the concerned authority.