Social learning for adaptive delta management: Tidal River Management in the Bangladesh Delta

ABSTRACT

The article analyzes Tidal River Management in Bangladesh from a social learning perspective. Four cases were investigated using participatory assessment. Knowledge acquisition through transformations in the Tidal River Management process was explored as an intended learning outcome. The study finds that social learning occurred more prominently at the individual stakeholder level and less at the collective level. For Tidal River Management to be responsive and sustainable, especially in times of increased uncertainty and climate vulnerability, more attention needs to be paid to coordination and facilitation of multi-level learning that includes all stakeholders.

KEYWORDS:

• Tidal River Management
• adaptive delta management
• participation
• social learning
• Bangladesh

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to acknowledge the local government authorities of Keshobpur and Monirampur upazila in Jessore District in Bangladesh and the NGOs Uttaran and Bachte Shekha for their cordial help in conducting this research. We are especially grateful to local community groups of stakeholders for their participation and input in this study. We are also thankful to the Bangladesh Water Development Board, the Center for Environmental and Geographic Information Services and the Institute of Water Modelling for their cooperation.