Working Papers

Annual deluge and bank erosion threaten Majuli, the world?s largest inhabited river island, situated in Assam?s heavily flood-prone Brahmaputra Valley, India. They have displaced thousands of islanders, rendering them destitute and landless. A changing climate, declining crop yield, and physical challenges including riverbank erosion and floods have exacerbated Majuli?s condition. Using the IPCC framework, the present study aims to determine climate change linked to social vulnerability while identifying key factors rendering Majuli residents vulnerable. Relevant data were collected from the inhabitants of eight villages via a pre-tested questionnaire, randomly selected from high and low flood impact zones, identified by flood intensity. The questionnaire had four sections to retrieve information on general household characteristics and their exposure, sensitivity, and adaptive capacity to climate change. The study suggests that the high-flood zone is more vulnerable than the low-flood zone. The exposure level of the high-flood zone is higher due to the disproportionate impact of the flood and bank erosion, coupled with the inadequate adaptive capacity to withstand or cope with climatic and physical exposures. Developing tailored policies to resolve physical challenges due to shifting river courses by reinforcing banks along with community-based and nature-based adaptation options, such as growing plantations, encouraging riverbank stabilisation, and promoting improved farming and quality fishing, will effectively upgrade the current level of environmental services and minimise climate change-induced hazards. Besides, inclusive and adaptive governance mechanisms, along with fair, equitable and gender-nuanced institutions and processes will help promote risk reduction. Keywords: Adaptation, Climate risks, Flood hazards, Indigenous knowledge, Socio-ecological System, Vulnerability