Enhancing Coastal Resilience: A Case Study on Nature-based Solutions and Community Management in Indo-Bangladesh Borderland Coast

This study investigates the potential of nature-based solutions (NbS) and community management practices in strengthening resilience along the Indo-Bangladesh borderland coast, focusing on how ecological restoration combined with participatory governance can mitigate climate risks while sustaining livelihoods. Conducted in the North and South 24 Parganas, a region highly vulnerable to cyclones, tidal surges, and salinity intrusion, the research employed a participatory and qualitative methodology that included fieldwork with 50 households across diverse occupational groups and 20 focus group discussions (FGDs). Household narratives and participatory storytelling were used to document adaptive practices and community-led ecological initiatives such as mangrove regeneration, sustainable aquaculture, and embankment management, thereby capturing both individual experiences and collective strategies. The findings reveal that ecological restoration and participatory governance are central to reducing vulnerabilities, with mangrove regeneration functioning as both a protective buffer and a source of livelihood diversification. At the same time, participatory processes enhanced inclusivity by empowering marginalised groups, including women and landless labourers, while hybrid approaches that combined ecological and structural measures provided long-term benefits. Overall, the study concludes that resilience-building must be locally rooted yet regionally coordinated, requiring participatory institutions and supportive policy frameworks that integrate community knowledge with scientific expertise. Aligning ecological protection with socio-economic security thus emerges as a key pathway towards a more resilient and sustainable coastal future in the Indo-Bangladesh borderland.