Local Perceptions of Climate Change Impacts and Adaptation Strategies for Rural Infrastructure in the Chalan Beel Area of Bangladesh

ABSTRACT

This study examines local perceptions of climate change impacts on rural infrastructure and associated adaptation strategies in the Chalan Beel, Bangladesh's largest and one of the most climate‐vulnerable wetland systems. A mixed‐method design was applied across three upazilas: Chatmohar (Pabna), Singra (Natore), and Tarash (Sirajganj). This study surveyed 187 respondents and conducted six focus group discussions (FGDs) spanning men‐only, women‐only, and mixed‐gender settings across three sites. Respondents across the three upazilas reported climate‐induced environmental changes including rising temperatures, irregular rainfall, altered flood timing, more frequent droughts, declining water levels, shorter winters, and loss of fisheries. The survey results showed that irrigation facilities, housing, and roads were the most affected rural infrastructure types by climate change, whereas hospitals, bridges, and educational institutions were perceived as the least affected. Awareness of climate adaptation strategies differed significantly by age, education, and occupation, but not by gender or upazila. Among respondents who were familiar with adaptation strategies, level of participation differed significantly across age, education, occupation, and upazila. Although most of the respondents rated existing adaptation practices as somewhat effective, there is no significant association between perceived effectiveness and adaptation strategies across socio‐demographic groups. The study underscores the importance of embedding local perceptions and gendered experiences into infrastructure‐focused adaptation planning to enhance resilience in wetland‐dependent rural systems.