Navigating the Salinity Crisis: Challenges of Saline Water and Soil in Coastal Bangladesh

Description

In coastal Bangladesh, soil and water salinity, and freshwater scarcity are compounded by disaster risks from cyclonic storm surges, coastal flooding, and sea-level rise, particularly in this low-lying deltaic region – one of the most vulnerable among the Asian mega-deltas. This talk explores the compounded impacts of rising salinity, loss of land, and threats to livelihoods. Professor Shams presents the critical geographic and hydrological context of the Bengal Basin, where salinity intrusion into groundwater and soil threatens both public health and food security. Highlighting the urgency of disaster risk reduction, Professor Shams discusses the need for resilient engineering solutions, such as Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR) and nature-based solutions like mangrove reforestation, to strengthen water supply, infrastructure, and coastal protection. With a focus on science-based policy for climate resilience, this presentation underscores the role of adaptation measures in protecting lives, securing livelihoods, and sustaining development in coastal Bangladesh, where communities face escalating salinity and flood risks from intensifying climate impacts.