Spatial variation of community livelihood vulnerability at the interface of climatic variability and natural hazards in the Matla-Bidya Inter-estuarine Zone, Indian Sundarban

The local communities of the Matla-Bidya Inter-estuarine Zone (MBI) are highly depended on natural resource-based activities. Many of these communities are also socio-economically marginalized, with high levels of poverty, limited access to education, and less accessibility to basic livelihood amenities. This marginalization further exacerbates their livelihood challenges due to frequent climatic hazards and drastic changes in climatic characteristics. Disruptions to the livelihoods have far-reaching consequences such as food insecurity, unemployment, low per capita income and out-migration. In view of that, the main objective of this study is to assess spatial variation of livelihood vulnerability of local communities at the village level based on collection of enormous primary survey data. To fulfil the aim of the research, field survey data were collected from door-to-door surveys conducted in 148 villages within the study area between 2020 and 2021, encompassing about 9216 households. Using these data, community livelihood vulnerability has been assessed based on the Composite Index Approach (CIA) and LVI-IPCC framework method. While LVI-CIA uses a single composite score, LVI-IPCC combines physical and socio-economic parameters. Despite this difference, LVI-CIA is a reliable proxy for a more comprehensive LVI-IPCC. The analysis revealed that livelihood vulnerability spatially varies from coast to interior villages of the MBI. The vulnerability is showing high to very high (>0.47) for those who have limited access to resources and services as well as settle in physically challenging riverine villages, which account for almost 26.43% of the population. Contrarily, accessibility and well-connectedness with the mainland, alternate livelihood options, and infrastructural facilities help minimize livelihood vulnerability (LVI -<0.061) of the communities living in inland villages (56%) of the northern part of the MBI. For achieving a sustainable livelihood, this study finds out the major factors of livelihood vulnerability and also suggests mitigation measures to address their specific needs and challenges.