Land Management and Utilization

Climate Change Impacts and Strategic Solutions: Addressing Water and Ecological Challenges in Bangladesh

Ranojit Kumar Dutta

General Education Department (GED), Faculty of Science and Engineering, City University, Dhaka 1340, Bangladesh
College of Hydraulic & Environmental Engineering, China Three Gorges University, Yichang 443002, China
Faculty of Engineering, Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET), Dhaka 1000, Bangladesh

Baishakhi Das

International Relations, Department of Political Science, National University, Gazipur 1704, Bangladesh

DOI: https://doi.org/10.36956/lmu.v1i2.2001

Received: 10 April 2025 | Revised: 24 April 2025 | Accepted: 27 April 2025 | Published Online: 6 May 2025

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Abstract

Bangladesh, one of the most climate-vulnerable countries in the world, faces significant environmental threats due to its low-lying topography, high population density, and geographical location. Climate change exacerbates challenges such as rising temperatures, erratic rainfall, increased flood frequencies, sea-level rise, riverbank erosion, and degradation of water resources. Between 1990 and 2020, the mean annual temperature increased by approximately 0.19 °C per decade, while rainfall variability intensified, with extreme precipitation events rising by 35%. Flood frequency in the Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna basin increased by 21%, with 1-in-20-year floods now occurring every 4–7 years. Coastal salinity intrusion expanded inland by up to 120 kilometers, severely impacting agriculture and freshwater access. Eutrophication-driven harmful algal blooms, triggered by increased nutrient loading from agriculture and poor wastewater management, have increased in frequency by 42%, particularly during the dry season. This paper investigates these interconnected effects of climate change on Bangladesh’s river dynamics and water bodies using hydrological modeling and long-term observational data. It evaluates adaptive and mitigative strategies, including ecological restoration, renewable energy adoption, and sustainable land management. Emphasizing the need for data-driven policy frameworks, the study offers practical recommendations to reduce nutrient pollution, enhance agricultural resilience, and manage water resources sustainably, thereby improving long-term climate resilience in Bangladesh.

Keywords: Climate Change; Riverbank Erosion; Land Management; Ecological Restoration; Renewable Energy; Sustainable Development

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