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The erosion of riverbanks has a negative impact on many nations across the world, costing them land, buildings, food, fish, and other living things, which forces people to relocate. Both the frequency and severity of riverbank erosion are alarming in Bangladesh. In Zajira Upazila, a baseline investigation was carried out to evaluate the effects of river erosion on the local availability of food. The results show how erosion threatens the majority of residents in the research territory. Additionally, as a consequence of the depletion of farmland brought on by the disaster and its effects, crop production is steadily dropping. Occasionally, people lose whole properties, leaving them with few employment options and little spending power. As a result, they are always in danger of experiencing a shortage of food. The suffering people use various coping strategies to deal with these challenging circumstances, such as shifting to cheaper or less appealing eating options. Despite the fact that local governing bodies have put in place various programs to help them, including food assistance and social protection programs, these are inadequate because of the government's constrained organizational assets and competence The study's findings will aid scientists and decision-makers in Bangladesh and abroad in better comprehending the requirements of vulnerable riverine populations and in designing programs that would increase those societies' food safety Therefore, these results imply that developing and implementing efficient rural development strategies could increase the food security of those residing in Bangladeshi regions threatened by riverbank erosion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study identifies the livelihood characteristics of small-scale fishers and how their livelihoods become affected through climate change-induced events, based on fieldwork in four fishing communities in lower Padma hilsa (Tenualosa ilisha) sanctuaries. To collect empirical data, several qualitative tools were employed, such as individual interviews, focus group discussions, oral history, and key informant interviews. A conceptual framework named Sustainable Livelihood Approaches (SLA) was used to analyze the data. The insights of the livelihood and climate vulnerability of small-scale fishers and fisheries management were addressed. The factors related to climate change included fluctuation of temperature and rainfall, frequent natural calamities, tidal inundation and outbreak of diseases. In addition, river pollution, alteration of migratory routes, poverty, malnutrition, debt cycle, social tension, stakeholder conflicts and lack of alternative earning flexibility made them more vulnerable. The current findings, derived from fishers' perceptions, are crucial for sanctuary's co-management, biodiversity conservation, planning and development of livelihoods of the smallscale fishers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fisheries and the aquaculture sector can play a significant role in the achievement of several of the goals of the 2030 Sustainable Development agenda. However, the current COVID-19 situation can negatively impact the fisheries sector, impeding the pace of the achievement of development goals. Therefore, this paper highlighted the performance and challenges of the fisheries sector in Bangladesh, emphasising the impact of COVID-19 and the significance of this sector for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), through primary fieldwork and secondary data. The total fish production in the country has increased more than six times over the last three decades (7.54 to 43.84 lakh MT) with improved culture techniques and extension services. Inland closed water contributions have increased to 16%, while inland open water has declined to 10%, and marine fisheries have dropped to 6% over the past 18 financial years (2000–2001 to 2018–2019). COVID-19, a significant health crisis, has also affected various issues associated with aquatic resources and communities. Transportation obstacles and complexity in the food supply, difficulty in starting production, labour crisis, sudden illness, insufficient consumer demand, commodity price hikes, creditor's pressure, and reduced income were identified as COVID-19 drivers affecting the fisheries sector. The combined effect of these drivers poses a significant threat to a number of the SDGs, such as income (SDG1), nutrition (SDG2), and food security (SDG3 and SDG12), which require immediate and comprehensive action. Several recommendations were discussed, the implementation of which are important to the achievement of the SDGs and the improved management of the aquatic sector (SDG14—life below, and SDG16—life above water). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lightning is one of the frequent catastrophic hazards to people and properties across the world. Bangladesh is one of the major lightning prone countries in the world. Information regarding the spatial, temporal and demographic distribution of lightning casualties is required to develop mitigation policies to minimize the impacts of lightning. This study aims to analyse the spatial, temporal and demographic distribution of lightning-related casualties in the northeastern part of Bangladesh from 2016 to 2018. The database of lightning casualties was developed from a variety of sources including government and private agencies. Records dating from 2016 to 2018 indicate that about 78 and 60 people have been killed and injured, respectively by lightning strikes. The highest number of lightning fatalities were reported in the districts of Kishoreganj (31%), Habiganj (18%) and Sunamganj (15%). The overall fatality rate is 1.76 per million people per year, and fatality density rate is 0.00388 per million people km−2 year−1. The majority of fatalities and injuries occurred within the early morning 0800 and early evening 1700 at local time. The number of fatalities was higher in April–May during the pre-monsoon season. The maximum number of people died by lightning during farming activities, followed by fishing, boating or bathing in water bodies. The findings of the study are highly beneficial to the administrator and policymakers to develop lightning mitigation plans, improve public awareness and lightning safety campaign to reduce the impacts of lightning hazards. • Spatio-temporal and demographic distribution of lightning casualties was assessed. • Geospatial techniques were used to process the data and map the casualties. • Identified the spatio-temporal and demographic distribution of lightning casualties. • The results of this study would be useful to develop mitigation policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]