Climate Change Impact on Agriculture and Related Sustainable Land Management Practices in Bangladesh – A Review

Sustainable land management (SLM) is an effective climate adaptation technique in the present world. Bangladesh is listed in long-term Climate Risk Index 2019 due to its unicorn geographic features (e.g. low-lying riparian lands, big rivers, dense population and coastal settings). The livelihoods of Bangladesh are directly or indirectly linked to agricultural practices and or agribusiness. Many studies revealed that climate change-induced natural calamities (e.g. rainfall and temperature variability, sea level rise, flood, cyclone, drought, groundwater depletion, salt intrusion) unfavorably effect on agricultural production and livelihood activities and these are making critical food insecurity situation. Thus, identification and implementation of SLM practices to maintain food security of the bursting population are a prerequisite in Bangladesh. In this study, we have compiled the prospective SLM practices based on land management objective, land user requirements, crop and land suitability by reviewing peer-reviewed articles and grey literature. The potential SLM identified includes land resource conservation, erosion control, tillage technology, soil fertility management, vegetation management, efficient groundwater use, salinity-drought adaptations, land zoning and site-specific climate-smart agriculture. Among these SLM practices, the cultivation of suitable crop based on land quality and resource availability requires knowledge of decision support components involving the stakeholders for meaningful implementation of SLM. We proposed conceptual decision support components (e.g. land user, land quality, crop suitability, site-specific management, capital and governance) that would be the basis for the development and implementation of SLM towards land users and or farmers. The motivation of farmers through efficient extension activity and agri-governance for optimized land management can lead to minimizing the climate-induced vulnerability in agriculture. We concluded that the identified SLM practices, if implemented by adequate decision supports, SLM will help to achieve agricultural production as required by the sustainable Millennium Development Goals in Bangladesh.

Noise level in different places of Dhaka Metropolitan City (DMC) and noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) in Dhaka City dwellers.

A cross sectional, exploratory study was designed at "National Center for Hearing and Speech for Children" (NCHSC), Dhaka, Bangladesh, from May 2001 to June 2002, with a view to determine the average noise level in different places of Dhaka Metropolitan City (DMC), and also aiming at evaluating the extent of Noise-induced Hearing Loss (NIHL) in different groups of city dwellers and finally a base line information. A total of 32 places in DMC were selected randomly. The highest noise level recorded 104 dB at Sayedabad bus terminal and the lowest 68 dB in Banani and Baridhara residential area. In silent zone of DMC, average noise level was 79 dB, in residential zone 72 dB, in commercial zone 90 dB, and in mixed zone average noise level was recorded at 91 dB. Measured noise levels were more than acceptable and permissible levels in all places of DMC. A total of 312 persons aged between 15-45 years (mean age- 24.64 years) were enrolled for the study as per inclusion criteria. Gender-wise male were 211(67.62%) and female were 101(32.57%). Profession-wise Automobile drivers were 57(18.26 %), Garment workers 58(18.55 %), City dwellers 72(23.07%), Students 72(23.07%), Traffic polices 12(3.85%), Hawkers and Road side shopkeepers were 41(13.1%). Definite noise notch (>25dB) at 4KHz observed in 33(10.58%) audiogram of persons under study. Automobile drivers, Traffic polices, Road side hawkers and Shop keepers, Garment workers are mostly affected were 17.54%, 16.4%, 12.09% and 12.06% respectively. A total of 201 persons (64.42%) were not aware of their hearing impairment, 244(78%) of the person had poor level of knowledge regarding bad effects of noise on health and about protective means available. Amongst persons (33) found to have NIHL did not use any protective device.

Recurrent respiratory papillomatosis: a study of 24 cases.

24 cases of recurrent respiratory papillomatosis (RRP) in children were treated by surgical removal with cup forceps and followed up for variable periods between 1990-95. Most of the patients required multiple operations due to recurrence. No anaesthetic death or complication was recorded. Voice changes of different degrees were noted. Four patients has glottic web formation. The findings suggest that recurrence of RRP is very common & needs multiple session of surgery. For children with persistent and progressive voice change/cry, the necessity of precise & comprehensive endoscopic examination of the upper aerodigestive tract under general anesthesia (GA) is emphasized.

Follow up study of thyroidectomy.

One hundred thyroidectomized patients were followed up. The male:female ratio was 1:4. Majority (62%) of the patients were in the 4th and 5th decades. Multinodular goiter was the commonest lesion found in 74, diffuse colloid goiter in 12 and carcinoma in 14 cases. After operation, sixty-five patients were relieved of all preoperative symptoms of thyroid disease. Thirteen patients had some persistent symptoms. Rest 22 had developed different types of complication in addition to some preoperative symptoms. Three patients developed hoarseness of voice due to recurrent laryngeal nerve injury. Hypoparathyroidism occurred in 1, hypothyroidism in 4 and recurrent neck swelling in 14 patients. One patient died. It seems that a thorough knowledge of the surgical anatomy and meticulousness during the procedure would reduce the rates of such complications in future.

Screening--a unique way of better health care delivery for ENT patients.

A few Ear Camps were carried out amongst 25 schools and madrashas of Dhaka City having 10,102 pupils, to see the prevalence of ENT diseases and hearing impairment. A primary screening was done by the Bangladesh Council for Child Welfare (BCCW) with the possibilities of suffering from ear, nose & throat diseases with the help of questionnaire and clinical examination by qualified doctor. The word "Screening" is used in this paper not in the epidemiological sense but to imply primary selection. 1,403 (13.89%) were issued registration card for ENT consultation. Five otolaryngologist, one audiometrician, two ancillary staffs, BCCW workers, local volunteers and school teachers conducted the 3 days long camp. Secondary screening by the otolaryngologists revealed pathology in 1,101 students (10.89%). 26 children (0.26%) were attending schools with severe hearing loss. ENT diseases appeared to be common in urban school children and screened proved to be an efficient method for health care delivery.

Ewing's sarcoma of maxilla--a case report.

This paper reports the case of an adolescent girl who was admitted in the ENT ward, IPGMR in February '88 with the complaints of nasal obstruction, nasal discharge associated with progressive swelling of the right side of her face for 1 year. She had an operation at Chittagong Medical College Hospital 1 year back for some problem in the right side of the nose. No history of pain, nasal bleeding or visual disturbance were present. The nasal mass was mobile, insensitive and did not bleed on touch, but the facial swelling was red, soft and cystic. Clinically diagnosed as an Antral growth with Ethmoidal involvement. Radiologically revealed soft tissue swelling, obliteration of nasal fossa and opacification of sinuses. After surgical resection the facial mass was diagnosed as Ewing's sarcoma histopathologically. The patient needed radiotherapy but did not follow it.