Spatial dimensions of dichotomous adaptive responses to natural hazards in coastal districts of West Bengal, India

Developing countries continue to reel under the impact of hydro meteorological disasters which have been aggravated by climate change. Communities exposed to such vagaries of nature continuously strive to adapt to such events. These adaptive practices can be traced spatially through transformations in Land Use Land Cover (LULC). This study hypothesizes that these spatial transformations are a function of the spatial manifestation due to changes in livelihood practices resulting from exposure to natural hazards. Moreover, the spatial dimensions of changes observed are dichotomous in nature and express themselves differently based on local stimuli. LULC transformations between the period 2002-2014, along with socio-economic data and semi-structured interviews were used to identify the drivers of LULC changes in coastal districts of West Bengal, India. In this study, evidence of transformations triggered by natural hazards are differently expressed for zone in proximity to coastal areas and zone in proximity to a primate metropolitan area. Results from the analyses show three predominant changes - increasing trends from agriculture to aquaculture practices in coastal tidal influence Blocks (270.39%), trends of rapid urbanization, and increases of the built-up (rural) area in Blocks adjoining the metropolitan area (58.18%). Statistical analyses revealed that the changes in the area under aquaculture can be attributed to change in area under agriculture practice and accessibility to a station of suburban railway network. Similarly, for Blocks in the rural areas, it was observed that the change in the built-up area can be explained by existing built-up area/fallow land and its distance from the district headquarter.

Automated summary

Developing countries are facing the increased impact of hydro meteorological disasters aggravated by climate change. Communities are striving to adapt to these events, with spatial transformations in Land Use Land Cover (LULC) serving as evidence of changes in livelihood practices due to exposure to natural hazards. These spatial changes are dichotomous in nature and vary based on local stimuli, with different trends observed in coastal areas and metropolitan regions.