The Agrarian Crisis in a Changing Coastal Economy: Migration, Sustainability, and Livelihoods in the Indian Sundarbans

Abstract

The agrarian landscape of the Indian Sundarbans, a fragile coastal region that includes the Sundarbans National Park, a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site, is undergoing significant transformations due to climate change, environmental degradation, and shifting occupational patterns. This study examines how agriculture, migration, and environmental sustainability are interlinked in the face of growing challenges such as salinisation, natural disasters, and the expansion of the blue economy. Focusing on two vulnerable blocks- Gosaba and Hingalganj- this research explores how communities adapt to the changing conditions of agriculture while navigating new economic opportunities.

One of the most visible shifts in the region is the decline of traditional farming and the rise of non-agricultural occupations. Repeated cyclones, soil erosion, and seawater intrusion have made farmlands unproductive, forcing many farmers to seek alternative livelihoods in fishing, aquaculture, tourism, and migration. As a result, seasonal and permanent migration has increased, particularly among men, leading to the feminisation of agriculture, where women take up greater responsibilities in farm work while also managing household labour.

The growing problem of salinisation has drastically reduced soil fertility, making it difficult to grow traditional crops. In response, some farmers are experimenting with climate-resilient crops, including salt-tolerant rice varieties and indigenous agroecological practices. However, adopting these alternatives remains limited due to lack of awareness, access to seeds, and institutional support. Furthermore, aquaculture, primarily shrimp farming, has provided economic benefits but exacerbated soil degradation, increased water pollution, and displaced small-scale farmers.

Natural disasters such as Cyclone Aila (2009), Amphan (2020), and Yaas (2021) have further intensified the agrarian crisis. Frequent flooding and embankment breaches have eroded agricultural lands, making farming an increasingly uncertain occupation. Despite government relief programs, many affected households remain vulnerable, leading to increased outmigration to urban centers in search of work. This occupational shift affects agricultural sustainability and disrupts traditional community structures and knowledge systems.

This research explores local communities' strategies to cope with these changes, including migratory labour, crop diversification, and environmental conservation efforts. It examines how these responses are shaped by gender, caste, and land ownership patterns, highlighting the unequal distribution of risks and opportunities. The study also investigates the role of local governance, NGOs, and policy interventions in supporting sustainable agricultural transitions and promoting climate resilience.

Focusing on agrarian transformations, this study contributes to critical agrarian studies by highlighting how occupational shifts, migration, and climate change intersect in vulnerable coastal regions. It underscores the need for sustainable development policies prioritising agroecological resilience, equitable resource distribution, and integrating traditional knowledge. This research aligns with the ethos of scholar-activism, advocating for a just and sustainable future for small-scale farmers in the Sundarbans.

Bio

Dr. Dipak Mandal is a postdoctoral associate at the National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS) in Bengaluru, India. His research focuses on the intersections of the blue economy, climate change, and local livelihoods in the Indian Sundarbans. As part of the project titled "Economic Accounting for a Sustainable and Inclusive Blue Economy in India: Case of Sundarbans," his work examines economic activities, environmental sustainability, and the socio-ecological challenges affecting coastal communities.

He holds a Ph.D. in Development Studies (Urban Studies) from the Institute for Social and Economic Change (ISEC), Bengaluru, where his doctoral research explored urban environmental movements and civic activism in addressing environmental challenges in Bengaluru. His research interests include urban studies, environmental governance, climate resilience, agrarian transitions, and sustainability.

Dr. Mandal has worked on multiple interdisciplinary research projects, including circular economy practices in textile waste management, gig-platform economies in Indian metro cities, and environmental and social impact assessments of power plant repurposing. His expertise spans qualitative and quantitative research methods, GIS and remote sensing applications, and policy analysis.

He has published in peer-reviewed journals, including Nagarlok Journal of Urban Affairs and Urban India, and contributed book chapters on environmental conservation and sustainability. His research adopts a scholar-activist approach, advocating for just and sustainable environmental policies in vulnerable coastal and urban regions.

At the Writeshop, he seeks to refine his work on agrarian transitions, migration, and environmental sustainability in the Sundarbans, contributing to critical agrarian studies and global sustainability discourses.