Assessing Socio-ecological Vulnerability to Climate Change in the Traditional Marine Fishing Community: A Case Study of the Coastal Region of Bengal, India

This chapter investigates the socio-ecological vulnerability of traditional marine fishing communities in the coastal region of Bengal, India, a landscape increasingly affected by climate variability and change. The central objective is to assess how ecological and social stresses intersect to shape the resilience of fishing-dependent populations. Data collection drew on multiple sources, including climatic records from the Climatic Research Unit, published scientific reports such as those of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), and ecological data derived from Landsat satellite imagery accessed via the USGS Earth Explorer. Complementary field surveys, conducted through face-to-face interviews and focus group discussions, provided insights into community perceptions, livelihood challenges, and socio-economic pressures linked to environmental change. The analysis applied the IPCC vulnerability framework, as adapted in climate change assessments, together with a pragmatic approach to construct indices of ecological, social, and socio-ecological vulnerability. The results reveal significant spatial disparities across 25 Community Development (C.D.) Blocks. The Sundarbans region, particularly Patharpratima, Basanti, Gosaba, Namkhana, Kultali, and Sandeshkhali-2, emerges as the most vulnerable, facing recurrent ecological hazards such as tidal flooding, erosion, and salinity intrusion, compounded by poverty and weak adaptive capacity. By contrast, urban and industrial areas, including Haldia, Sutahata, and Diamond Harbour demonstrate very low vulnerability, supported by stronger infrastructure and diversified livelihoods. Overall, the findings highlight the urgency of integrated, context-specific interventions that enhance ecological resilience and strengthen adaptive capacities in the most at-risk fishing communities.