Human-Created Flood and Land-Based Adaptation from Marma Indigenous Communities
摘要
This chapter explores the serious negative impact of human-created floods on the Marma Indigenous communities in the Chittagong Hill Tracts of Bangladesh, emphasizing the systemic vulnerabilities and resilience strategies developed by these communities. Anthropogenic activities such as deforestation, unregulated dam construction, and climate change exacerbate flooding, disrupting livelihoods and cultural practices. The analysis highlights the socioeconomic challenges faced by the Marma, including loss of property, displacement, health crises, and systemic discrimination in disaster relief efforts. Despite these adversities, the Marma people exemplify resilience through land-based adaptation strategies such as elevated housing structures (\u201Cmachang\u201D), floating agriculture, and collective resource management. Central to these approaches is the preservation of indigenous knowledge, passed through generations, which offers practical and sustainable solutions to flood mitigation. The chapter underscores the need for integrating Marma adaptive strategies into national and global climate policies, advocating for collaborative frameworks that prioritize equity, environmental conservation, and resource transparency. By centering the voices of Indigenous communities, this study not only sheds light on their struggles but also positions their innovations as vital contributions to sustainable and inclusive climate adaptation strategies globally.