Strategies for climate resilience – drone application, mangrove plantation, and community mobilisation in the Sundarbans delta

The Sundarbans, stretching across 9,630 km2 at the border of West Bengal in India and Bangladesh, is deemed the largest mangrove forest in the world. Intersected by the Ganges, Brahmaputra and Meghna rivers, this region forms the world’s most extensive delta. Recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1987, its exceptional biodiversity encompasses endangered species, including the only population of tigers found in a coastal mangrove habitat, Ganges and Irawaddy dolphins, estuarine crocodiles, and a variety of mangrove species. The Sundarbans delta is not only a significant draw for tourists seeking to witness its unique wildlife but also serves as a sustainable source of income for the local populace.

However, the region faces formidable social and economic challenges. Approximately 44% of the population lives below the poverty line. Access to clean drinking water eludes about 60% of households, while approximately 87% of the populace experiences food shortages, indicative of pervasive food insecurity. A significant proportion of households, at 48%, do not own any land, and more than half of the workforce engaged in agriculture and fishing are daily wage labourers. The geographic location of the Sundarbans Delta renders it acutely susceptible to the effects of climate change. The sea levels in the Sundarbans are increasing at a rate between 5.37 and 12 mm/year, which significantly exceeds the global average of 3.27 mm/year recorded between 1993 and 2010. This rise can be attributed to both global sea-level changes due to thermal expansion of water and melting of glaciers, as well as local factors such as land subsidence in the region. The data for this sea-level rise is based on regional studies conducted in the Bay of Bengal and supported by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s (IPCC’s) Fifth Assessment Report on the Physical Science Basis of Climate Change. Additionally, a detailed regional report from the World Bank corroborates this sea-level increase, noting its potential long-term impact on the coastal communities of the Sundarbans.

The project

The Building Climate Resilience in Sundarban Delta project of Humanitarian Aid International (HAI), supported by Sony Pictures India Limited, has commenced in the Gosaba block of the Sundarban region, South 24 Paragana district. Based on the baseline survey and community interactions, the selection of the Gosaba block was predicated on its high population density and ecological vulnerability.

A comprehensive needs assessment, coupled with extensive community engagement, revealed the critical need for a holistic approach to build long-term resilience. The approach targeted key areas such as addressing gender issues, enhancing livelihood opportunities, developing skills, and providing input support for women’s self-help groups. In addition, the project focused on agriculture product development and marketing assistance to bolster economic sustainability. To mitigate the impacts of recurrent flooding and cyclones, the project integrated innovative interventions, including the application of technology, monitoring the status of mangrove plantations, raising community awareness of climate change, and addressing disaster risk reduction (DRR) issues. Over a span of three and a half years, these interventions directly benefited five villages and more than 500 households.

The project also took significant steps to strengthen disaster preparedness by establishing the Village Disaster Management Force (VDMF), providing essential humanitarian response materials, and installing lightning conductors in schools, safeguarding an area spanning over 10 km2.

This case study offers a reflective overview of key DRR and climate change adaptation interventions implemented in the region, with a focus on the innovative and community-centred approaches that have contributed to resilience-building in these vulnerable areas.

Using drones to understand vulnerability

To gain a deeper understanding of the region’s hazards and vulnerabilities, the use of drones was indispensable. Leveraging drone technology enables the capture of high-resolution images revealing significant land erosion and loss, thereby facilitating targeted intervention. Furthermore, it offers the capability to monitor alterations in vegetation and soil salinity, which can be linked to evolving land and water conditions. These aerial surveys also provide valuable insights into the extent of damage, thereby aiding in the prioritisation of recovery efforts. Since the inception of the project in 2021, HAI (with the help of an external agency) has conducted a drone-based study of the region for three consecutive years.

The result of the study has amplified the need for the plantation of new mangrove saplings, protection of the coastal area from soil erosion, protection of water bodies from saline water, and overall, the need for an integrated effort at the national, regional and community levels to save the sensitive ecology with ecologically balanced interventions. The drone mapping operations commenced with a reconnaissance survey of the area of interest (see Figure 1).

In collaboration with local field team members, site visits facilitated a comprehensive understanding of the terrain, local environmental conditions, and potential obstructions, such as communication towers and high-tension lines.

Photographs were systematically captured at regular intervals utilising the drone, all the while maintaining an optimum flight speed.

Mangroves – nature-based solution to DRR

Mangroves serve as a critical component of the region, not only due to their natural carbon sequestration, but also as a natural fortification against storm surges, and strong winds. Their robust root systems effectively stabilise the coastline, diminish the impact of wave energy, mitigate coastal erosion, and shield inland areas from flooding. Additionally, mangroves play a pivotal role in absorbing and retaining excess rainfall, thereby contributing to the regulation of local water levels and the reduction of flood risk. Their root systems also support enhanced soil permeability, promoting groundwater recharge. Furthermore, these ecosystems serve as habitats for a diverse range of species, including fish, birds and invertebrates, thereby promoting biodiversity which, in turn, sustains local ecosystems and communities, ensuring ecological balance and livelihoods. In support of shoreline protection, HAI has undertaken the planting of mangrove saplings in a specified area following the acquisition of a no-objection certificate from the local village council. The need for mangrove sapling plantations also came out during the social mapping exercise conducted with the community, as well as being highlighted by the drone mapping.

More than 70,000 mangrove saplings have been systematically planted. One particularly noteworthy aspect of this activity is the participation of women in the plantation effort, who were paid for their work. To safeguard the saplings from animal grazing, the area was enclosed, and village volunteers were tasked with monitoring the saplings’ security.

Community mobilisation – the Village Disaster Management Force

Another element of the programme was the establishment and operation of the VDMF. The community is always the first responder during times of crisis. This is particularly significant given the poor service delivery mechanism present in the Sundarban Delta region at the government level. Additionally, due to the intricate ecology of the Sundarban region and the restricted infrastructure, there is a dependence upon country boats and cycle rickshaws as the primary modes of transportation within the area. The foundation of VDMF’s development lies in the routine mock drills conducted on the 14th of each month, aimed at preparing for floods and cyclones. Moreover, the VDMF has been pivotal in fostering community-awareness programmes regarding DRR, climate change and resilience building. The VDMF has made substantial contributions to vulnerability mapping, disaster response planning, and the establishment of communication channels for the dissemination of early-warning information on impending disasters. The year 2023 witnessed the active involvement of VDMF members in flood-response operations in the Sundarbans, where they provided aid in search-and-rescue efforts, facilitated aid distribution, managed embankments, and offered social and psychological support to the affected community. The timely allocation of search-and-rescue equipment by the HAI Sundarban team significantly bolstered the VDMF’s capacity to effectively address these challenges.

Lightning – an overlooked weather hazard

Another critical aspect of the Building Climate Resilience in Sundarban Delta project pertains to shielding the intervention area from the hazard of lightning. The geographical disposition of the region, its susceptibility to cyclones, propensity for floods, and prevailing high humidity and temperature collectively create a conducive environment for thunderstorms. To tackle the issue, a comprehensive approach was adopted, encompassing the dissemination of information within the community, focusing on educating school children, and the strategic placement of lightning arrestors. Awareness campaigns targeting the mitigation of the lightning hazard were undertaken in 10 government and private schools, accompanied by subsequent training and capacity-building sessions for the VDMF members. The installation of lightning arrestors has greatly improved safety and resilience by reducing the risk of lightning strikes.
Furthermore, it enhances visibility and security in vulnerable areas during extreme weather events, while also providing safe zones for children and the local community. This multifaceted approach demonstrates a commitment to safeguarding both people and property. This initiative has received considerable acclaim from school principals, parents, teachers, and the broader local community.

Conclusion and lessons learnt

Our pursuit of innovation and adaptability reflects a deeper understanding of the dynamic and interconnected nature of the challenges we face today. In the Sundarbans, our efforts represent not just a series of interventions but a commitment to a holistic and community-centred model of sustainable development. This approach acknowledges that true progress must arise from within communities themselves, nourished by local knowledge, aspirations, and a shared sense of stewardship for the land and environment.

The diverse initiatives undertaken – ranging from livelihood support to environmental conservation and disaster preparedness – are interconnected threads in the fabric of a more resilient future. Mangrove plantations, income-generation activities, DRR programmes, and the integration of technology to assess hazards and vulnerabilities serve as both practical solutions and symbolic acts of restoration. They are expressions of our belief in the possibility of harmonising human needs with ecological balance, and in the power of communities to be the architects of their own futures.

Central to this work has been the empowerment of local communities, particularly women, whose participation accounted for over 90% of direct project involvement. This is not simply a statistic; it is a testament to the power of inclusion, to the understanding that those most affected by adversity must be at the forefront of creating change. Their engagement is a living example of resilience in action, a quiet yet profound assertion of agency in the face of systemic challenges.

Yet, as we reflect on these accomplishments, we recognise that short-term solutions, while necessary, are insufficient. A long-term vision is essential – one that integrates both development and humanitarian frameworks, acknowledging the deep interdependence of human and environmental systems. Climate justice, in particular, must be central to this vision. The geographical vulnerability of the Sundarbans, coupled with the limited contribution of its communities to global climate problems, calls for a rethinking of how we address these challenges. It is a call for equity, for fairness, for recognising the disproportionate burden placed on the most vulnerable.

Ultimately, our work is rooted in a philosophy of trust and collaboration. By building partnerships, fostering dialogue, and cultivating a shared sense of responsibility, we are not merely responding to crises – we are laying the foundation for a new kind of collective action. In doing so, we are affirming our belief in the capacity of communities to transcend their circumstances, to transform challenges into opportunities, and to build a future defined by resilience, justice, and hope.

Rajeev Jha is Director, Disaster Risk Reduction and Climate Change Adaptation, at Humanitarian Aid International.