About this region

The Comprehensive Land Management through Climate Resilience at Coastal Agroforestry Project (CLM-CRA) targets Bangladesh’s southwestern coastal region, a dynamic but critically vulnerable landscape shaped by the confluence of the Bay of Bengal and the Ganges-Brahmaputra delta. Spanning districts like Khulna, Satkhira, Bagerhat, Pirojpur, Barguna and Patukhali this region faces existential threats from climate change, including frequent cyclones, tidal surges, saline intrusion, and coastal erosion. Rising sea levels and reduced freshwater flow from upstream have exacerbated soil salinity, rendering vast tracts of agricultural land barren and displacing communities reliant on traditional farming. The coastal zone is characterized by a mosaic of embankments, shrimp farms, and degraded mangrove forests, once part of the Sundarbans ecosystem. Overexploitation of resources, deforestation, and unsustainable aquaculture practices have disrupted ecological balance, leaving soils infertile and water sources contaminated. Cyclones like Sidr (2007) and Amphan (2020) have further devastated infrastructure and livelihoods, pushing marginalized populations deeper into poverty. The CLM-CRA project intervenes by revitalizing these degraded lands through climate-resilient agroforestry. It introduces salt-tolerant species such as mangroves (Sundari, Gewa), coconut palms, and fruit trees (e.g., date palm, tamarind), intercropped with saline-resistant vegetables (e.g., saltwort, purslane). These agroforestry systems mimic natural ecosystems, stabilizing soil, reducing erosion, and creating green barriers against storm surges. Mangrove restoration not only sequesters carbon but also revives aquatic biodiversity, supporting fisheries—a critical livelihood source. The project also addresses water management by constructing rainwater harvesting systems and rehabilitating canals to flush out salinity, restoring freshwater access for irrigation. Community-led afforestation drives reclaim abandoned shrimp farms, converting them into productive agroforestry plots. Farmers receive training in sustainable practices, enabling them to diversify income through timber, fruit, honey, and carbon credits. By integrating ecological restoration with socio-economic resilience, the CLM-CRA project transforms the coastal region from a climate "hotspot" into a model of sustainable adaptation. It empowers communities to coexist with their environment, ensuring food security, economic stability, and long-term ecological health in one of the world’s most climate-vulnerable regions.