Assessment of Climate Induced Soil Salinity Conditions of Gosaba Island, West Bengal and Its Influence on Local Livelihood

Abstract

Climatic variability and occurrence of extreme climatic events are a major concern of the Indian Sundarbans. The impact of climate change could hinder development and delay the processes in eradicating poverty, hence potentially aggravating the social and environmental conditions in these areas. Crop productivity has either become static or shown a decline in some locations. Ecological degradation due to salinization has also affected the types and productivity of the crops and freshwater fishes. It is understood from the tonal variation in multi-dated satellite images of the area affected by Aila, a severe cyclonic storm that occurred on 25th May, 2009, that the ingress of saline water on agricultural land and subsequent infiltration and evaporation of water has left large areas fallow. Food crops have to be produced on the shrinking land resources as few suitable lands are available for cultivation. The perceived rising temperatures and uncertainties in rainfall may have serious direct and indirect consequences on crop production and hence food security of this region. At this point, innovations in the type of crops and process of cropping are of utmost necessity. This paper highlights the geographical impacts of Aila on the agriculture, occupation and life of the people in Gosaba Block in the Indian Sundarbans.