Background, Approach, and Issues

Abstract

Chars in Bangladesh, emerging from sandy and alluvial deposits across the floodplains and the estuary, constitute an important part of the landscape and ecology of the country, with significant marks in its history and heritage. An estimated 20 million people in Bangladesh live in these chars, which remain isolated and deprived of numerous essential services. Char dwellers are mostly poor and highly vulnerable to natural hazards of flood and erosion. In addition, the coastal chars are faced with the prospect of widespread inundation due to the impending sea level rise, consequent upon climate change in the region. The development prospects for floodplain and the delta, inclusive of the chars, have traditionally been considered more in terms of physical/infrastructural development, without adequate attention to the diverse socio-economic and institutional needs of char communities. It is hoped that this book, with its comprehensive coverage of the physical, ecological, socio-economic and institutional issues, would provide a better understanding of the complexity of char life, its constraints and development potential, thereby hel** policy planners and implementers at different levels in effectively contributing to char development in an integrated and sustainable manner.