Climate Crisis, Adaptation and Forest Livelihoods in the Most Vulnerable Regions: a Case Study from the Indian Sundarbans

Climate-focused livelihood adaptation driven by donor-funded technocratic development projects has emerged as an instrumental strategy for addressing vulnerabilities of communities in the Global South. However, critical calls are rising for a more nuanced understanding of climate victims’ local realities (which often contrast significantly from national political agendas and climate crisis narratives), socio-spatial dynamics of vulnerability contexts, grounded lived experiences, and livelihood practices of the marginalized rural communities. Drawing on a qualitative case study approach and informed by the political ecology framework, this project aims to critically analyze the discursive framings of adaptation interventions and risk perceptions vis-à-vis de facto livelihood practices of the forest dwellers living in the world’s most disaster-prone areas, the coastal villages of the Indian Sundarbans. Moving beyond the dominant trend of climate reductionism, this study aims to provide critical insights into the multifaceted local realities and everyday livelihood concerns of vulnerable communities to address climate change-induced impacts, adapt to its harmful consequences, and develop community-led resilience strategies. Generating knowledge in these areas is also necessary for achieving Canada’s global climate action goals to build resilient communities, enhance rural livelihoods and help developing countries adapt to the adverse impacts of climate change.

Faculty Supervisor:

Conny Davidsen

Student:

Partner:

Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur

Discipline:

Sociology

Sector:

Education

University:

University of Calgary

Program: