Riverine Chars in Bangladesh : Environmental Dynamics and Management Issues
Contents: Preface. I. Introduction: 1. Background. 2. Definitions and study area. 3. Contents of the book. II. Scope of the Study: 1. Resources and hazards. 2. Institutional settings and arrangements. 3. Methodological aspects. 4. Introduction. 5. Earlier studies done by ISPAN. 6. Additional information and analysis. 6. Limitations of the study. III. River and Char Dynamics: 1. Introduction. 2. Characteristics of the main rivers of Bangladesh. 3. Historical evolution. 4. Hydro-morphological characteristics. 5. Dynamics of rivers and chars. 6. Bank erosion and changes in width of river. 7. Char formation and dynamics. 8. Floods in the chars. 9. Conditions for cultivation and settlement. IV. Socio-Economic Aspects: 1. Introduction. 2. Demographic profile: 1. Char area and population. 2. Household size and type. 3. Stages of char settlement. 4. Natural hazards. 5. Flood hazards. 6. Land erosion. 7. Other hazards. 8. Resources : availability and utilization. 9. Land. 10. Natural vegetation. 11. Grazing land. 12. Trees. 13. Open-water fish resources. 14. The economic life. 15. General activities. 16. Market orientation. 17. Agriculture. 18. Fisheries. 18. Livestock. 19. Women’s work. 20. Basic services. 21. Health and sanitation services. 22. Educational institutions. 23. Social adjustments. 24. Formation of human communities. 25. Kinship and samaj. 26. Summary observations. V. Management Aspects: 1. The context. 2. Resource management. 3. Land rights. 4. Provision of basic service. 5. Coping with natural hazards. 6. The context. 7. Flood hazards. 8. Erosion hazards. 9. Other hazards. 10. Role of public and private agencies. 11. Local government. VI. Concluding Observations: 1. Introduction . 2. Policy and administration improvements. 3. Institutional arrangements. 4. Special program interventions. 5. Basic services. 6. Flood and erosion assistance. 7. Trends in river and char dynamics. References.
"The vegetated landmasses within the riverbanks of Bangladesh, which are commonly known as chars, have long been inhabited by a large number of people. These people have to brave the natural calamities of land erosion and flooding in making a living there.
"This book presents the environmental dynamics of the major rivers of Bangladesh in explaining the process of char formation. It provides an account of the varying characteristics of land erosion and flooding in the different rivers of the country.
"The socio-economic dimension of char life in the country is discussed against the physical backdrop narrated earlier. The analysis here reflects the resilience of the char people as well as their need for institutional support.
"The book addresses relevant management issues and provides pertinent suggestions for policy-making aimed at ensuring a better life for the char dwellers consistent with the overall goal of national development." (jacket)
