Community-Centered Adaptation in Bangladesh: Floating Gardens (Baira/Dhap)
A strong example of a community-centered adaptation plan is the floating garden (Baira/Dhap) system practiced in flood-prone areas of Bangladesh such as Gopalganj, Pirojpur, Barishal, and Sunamganj. This indigenous practice has also been supported and documented by development partners.
Design and implementation:Floating gardens are designed and managed by local farmers using water hyacinth, bamboo, and other locally available materials to grow vegetables during prolonged flooding. The practice is knowledge-driven, passed down through generations, and in recent years has been strengthened through technical support from organisations like FAO and UNDP.
Community values and needs:The system reflects local values of living with water rather than resisting it. It directly addresses food security, income loss, and livelihood disruption during floods, which are priority concerns for wetland communities.
Vulnerability assessment:The practice responds to clearly identified vulnerabilities: seasonal inundation, crop loss, and limited access to land during floods. It targets households most exposed to flooding, especially small and marginal farmers.
Conflict resolution:By enabling cultivation on water rather than contested land, floating gardens reduce pressure on scarce high ground and help minimise land-use conflicts during flood periods.
Meeting expectations and building adaptive capacity:Floating gardens meet community expectations by ensuring food availability and income when conventional farming fails. They enhance adaptive capacity by diversifying livelihoods, strengthening local skills, and reducing dependence on external aid.
References :
FAO Bangladesh – Floating gardens help farmers adapt to climate change:https://www.fao.org/bangladesh/news/detail-events/en/c/1413611/
UNDP Bangladesh – Floating agriculture as a climate adaptation practice:https://www.undp.org/bangladesh/stories/floating-gardens-help-communities-adapt-climate-change