Assessing socio-economic vulnerability to climate change-induced disasters: evidence from Sundarban Biosphere Reserve, India

Indian Sundarban Biosphere Reserve (SBR), a fragile ecosystem, is susceptible to frequent cyclones, floods, and storm surge. The study impeccably analyzed the socio-economic vulnerability in SBR using pragmatic approach. Average storm surge height, slope amount, flood inundation, drainage proximity, and drainage density were used for assessing exposure while sensitivity and adaptation were examined from the data derived through a comprehensive field survey of 570 households in SBR. The revelation of the study manifested very high vulnerability in Basanti, Gosaba, Kultali, Namkhana, and Patharpratima blocks and high vulnerability in Kakdwip, Sagar, and Hingalganj blocks of SBR. Constant exposure to cyclones and storm surges, frivolous infrastructural setup, impoverish social structure, and lamentation of losses are major barriers to overall socio-economic upliftment of communities. Consolidated infrastructural setup, proper early warning system, disaster monitoring centres, better transport connectivity within remote islands, better livelihood opportunities, education, and awareness may help in improving the socio-economic conditions of the communities. Pragmatic approach assisted in the cogent understanding of climate change impacts and indicated adaptive and mitigation measures to improve coastal society in SBR. Thus, the approach has proven to be effective for analyzing the impact of climate change-induced hazards on socio-economic condition on the communities in coastal areas.

印度孙德尔本斯生物圈保护区（Indian Sundarban Biosphere Reserve，SBR）是一处脆弱生态系统，极易频繁遭受气旋、洪涝与风暴潮侵袭。本研究采用务实研究方法，对SBR的社会经济脆弱性展开了严谨细致的分析。研究选取平均风暴潮高度、坡度值、洪水淹没范围、距排水设施距离及排水密度作为暴露风险评估指标，并基于对SBR区域570户家庭开展的全面实地调查所得数据，分析了该区域的生态敏感性与适应能力。研究结果显示，SBR的巴萨恩蒂（Basanti）、戈萨巴（Gosaba）、库尔塔利（Kultali）、南哈纳（Namkhana）与帕塔普拉蒂马（Patharpratima）片区存在极高的社会经济脆弱性，而卡德维普（Kakdwip）、萨加尔（Sagar）与欣加尔甘杰（Hingalganj）片区则呈现高脆弱性。长期遭受气旋与风暴潮侵袭、基础设施薄弱、社会结构贫困化以及灾害损失带来的深重苦难，是阻碍当地社区社会经济全面振兴的主要障碍。完善基础设施建设、搭建规范的早期预警系统、设立灾害监测中心、改善偏远岛屿内部的交通联通条件、提供更优质的生计机会、发展教育以及提升公众防灾意识，均有助于改善当地社区的社会经济状况。该务实研究方法有助于透彻理解气候变化的影响，并为改善SBR沿海社区的状况指明了适应与减缓措施方向。因此，该方法被证实可有效分析气候变化诱发的灾害对沿海社区社会经济状况的影响。