Social Impacts of Riverbank Erosion at Hatpachil Village, Shahjadpur Upazila of Sirajganj District

Abstract

Riverbank erosion is one of the most persistent environmental hazards in Bangladesh and it produces widespread displacement, loss of property, and disruption to community life. This study examines the social impacts of erosion in Hatpachil village, located in Shahjadpur Upazila of Sirajganj District, an area frequently affected by the shifting course of the Jamuna River. A qualitative research design was adopted to capture the lived experiences of affected households and the perspectives of local stakeholders. Data were collected through 20 in-depth interviews with displaced residents and 10 key informant interviews with teachers, community leaders, and NGO representatives. The survey data were analyzed using descriptive statistical techniques such as frequency and percentage analysis, with results visualized through pie charts and bar diagrams prepared in Microsoft Excel, and subsequently interpreted within the Sustainable Livelihood Framework (SLF). The analysis focused on two central themes: displacement and property loss, and education and livelihood change. Findings reveal that erosion has forced many families to abandon homesteads and cultivable land, leading to repeated cycles of displacement and economic insecurity. Property loss has eroded intergenerational assets and created dependency on precarious forms of wage labor. Educational continuity has also been disrupted, as displacement often results in school dropout and reduced access to learning opportunities. At the same time, livelihood patterns have shifted from agriculture to unstable informal occupations, exposing households to new vulnerabilities. The study underscores the need for stronger institutional support and long-term strategies to address both the material and social consequences of riverbank erosion. By documenting the case of Hatpachil villege, the research highlights the complex interplay between environmental hazards and social transformation in rural Bangladesh.