Human Settlement Patterns Under Threat: How Global Warming and Cyclone Alerts Are Reshaping Sagar Island and Nayachar

Sundarbans in West Bengal’s 24 Parganas district is a fragile coastal ecosystem undergoing radical transformation. Coastal erosion, rising sea levels and consequent cyclone alerts are continuously altering both the land and the habitat of the people who live there. As a result, human settlements are shrinking and moving away from their locations due to environmental pressures.

For the fishing communities on Sagar Island and Nayachar, life is extremely difficult. Many areas of the islands lack power; therefore, fishing is still the primary source of income. Fishing depends on what the ocean provides, which similarly means that the livelihoods of these people are inherently at high risk.

The effects of cyclones like Aila (2009) and Amphan (2020) are still felt in these areas. Both were catastrophic storms that hit the coastal areas of West Bengal and caused significant destruction to housing, breached embankments, and displaced many families. In addition to the destruction caused by these storms, ongoing climate-related risks have compounded the difficulties of recovery from these storms and reconvening the restored lives of the displaced.

For people who live on Sagar Island and Nayachar, climate change is already a challenge that they deal with every day as it threatens their livelihoods, safety and continued existence.

Fishermen Communities Daily Struggle

Traditional reliance on stable coastlines, predictable weather, and tidal cycles for fishing in Sagar Island fishing communities has been disrupted by climate change. Increasing cycles create less time for fishermen of Sagar Island to fish each season and drive fishermen to return from their fishing trips one or two days earlier than normal, or to avoid travelling to the ocean for fishing altogether.

The prevalence of boat, net, and equipment damage resulting from storms has increased, causing many families to experience economic hardships. Simultaneously, the salinity of water has significantly impacted the number of freshwater fish available to fishermen in their area.

This combination of events has caused many younger generations of fishing families to gradually move away from their traditional livelihoods in search of jobs in larger urban centres.

Human Adaptation Strategies in Sagar Island

Local communities, in spite of all the challenges they face, are using coping mechanisms to help them get through these trying times.

• Embankments: Mud bunds are constructed on a continual basis to act as barriers to protect their homes and agricultural areas. However, these structures remain at risk of being breached.
• Mangrove Plantation: Restoring mangroves in coastal areas provides natural barriers for storm surges and coastal erosion.
• Alternative Livelihoods: Many families are moving away from being dependent upon fishing to take up crab farming, aquaculture, and wage labour as alternative livelihoods.
• Early Warning Systems: Improved cyclone warning communications allow people to evacuate their homes quickly, therefore reducing the number of people who lose their lives.

Although these coping mechanisms assist local communities today, they are very often inadequate for longer-term adaptation to climate stresses.

Government Policies and Interventions

The Government of West Bengal is taking various steps on Sagar Island to counter climate change.

• Resettlement Program

Families in areas that have substantial erosion will be moved to inland areas where they will receive financial support for housing.

• Cyclone Shelter Project

Multi-purpose cyclone shelters have been constructed to provide safe shelter from extreme weather events.

• Disaster Relief

After a cyclone event, financial compensation will be provided to persons affected.

• Coastal Regulation Policy

Limit construction in high-risk areas to reduce the incidence of residents of Sagar Island living in hazardous conditions.

Because Sagar Island has a high population density and a recent history of continued climate shocks, these programs are becoming increasingly difficult to implement, and often do not have enough funding to be effective in meeting need.

Nayachar: An Island with Fragile and Uncertain Future

Situated between South 24 Pgs and Purba Medinipur District of West Bengal, Nayachar is a river island with very low elevation and a highly unstable substrate. Human use of Nayachar occurred recently, whereas Sagar Island has had human use for much longer. Nayachar is very susceptible to erosion and coastal flooding from both storm surges and tidal overwash.

While there have been proposals for industrial or other large-scale economic development, like fisheries, experts are generally opposed to any form of permanent settlement there due to the extremely unstable condition of the island. 

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Future Projects and Sea-Level Rise Planning

As authorities examine long-term solutions to increasing sea levels and the associated threats from climate change, they are considering:

• Stronger Embankments

Replace mud with stronger concrete and geo-engineered structures for embankments to withstand waves crashing on the new structures.

• Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM)

Complete integration of coastal zone management for a national program of balanced development and coastal protection.

• Climate-Resilient Infrastructure

Invest in defensible infrastructure through elevated housing, better drainage, and flood-resilient roads.

• Planned Relocation

In the most extreme cases, vulnerable populations may be forcefully and slowly relocated (migrated) from their homes.

Given that significant amounts of land are expected to be lost by 2050, authorities are emphasising the importance of longer-term planning.

These Indian Territories will always be a Region in Transition

Sagar Island and Nayachar illustrate a more generalised scenario in numerous susceptible coastal regions. Communities have adapted to change; however, they are expediting at their implementation rate compared to their adaptation rate.

The sea has shifted from being a source of fishing income to being a source of uncertainty for many fishermen. The development and implementation of stronger policies, implementing sustainable development practices, and building resilient communities, will dictate the future of these islands’ inhabitants.

Summary

Sagar Island and Nayachar are facing severe impacts from climate change, including sea-level rise, erosion, and frequent cyclones. Fishermen communities are among the most affected, with declining incomes and rising risks. While adaptation strategies and government policies exist, long-term sustainability will require stronger infrastructure, better planning, and possible relocation efforts.

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