In the Sundarbans, alternative livelihoods aim to reduce pressure on the forest  

The Sundarbans, the world's largest mangrove forest, is more than an ecological treasure, acting as a natural barrier against cyclones and tidal surges, supporting fisheries and sustaining communities whose lives are closely tied to land and water. 

But the natural systems on which local people depend are under mounting pressure.

In the southwest coastal districts, saltwater intrusion is degrading agricultural soil, while irregular rainfall, water scarcity and pest infestation threaten crop yields. Cyclones, tidal flooding and other climate-related hazards can wipe out hard-won gains in a matter of hours.

For smallholder farmers, limited access to suitable seeds, irrigation, agricultural advice and markets makes it harder to respond when conditions change. And for households already living close to the poverty line, even a modest fall in production leads to food, unpaid bills or children at risk of missing school.

The Nabapallab project — short for Nature-Based Adaptation towards Prosperous and Adept Lives & Livelihoods in Bangladesh — is attempting to address these interconnected challenges by working with nature rather than against it.

"In aquaculture, agriculture, and livestock combined, we helped develop approximately 140 entrepreneurs. We provided each of them with a grant of Tk50,000, which they used to start businesses, such as aquaculture ventures or livestock-rearing businesses." Tamanna Rahman, thematic lead, Nabapallab project

Led by CARE Bangladesh, with Practical Action as a consortium partner and funding from the UK government's Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, the project operates in the ecologically critical areas of the Sundarbans and Hakaluki Haor. Practical Action leads activities in the Sundarbans region.

The project aims to benefit 63,876 households in the Sundarbans region, including communities in Dacope, Koyra and Paikgachha upazilas of Khulna district.

The underlying idea is straightforward: protecting livelihoods and restoring ecosystems should be pursued together, not as competing priorities.

Selected households have received climate-resilient poultry coops designed to provide better protection during harsh weather and reduce exposure to predators.

Turning difficult land into productive ground

Through the Nabapallab project, farmers receive salt-tolerant seeds, organic fertilisers and training in integrated pest management, alongside support for more efficient irrigation. 

According to project data, 2,388 farmers had received support since the initiative began, including seeds, equipment, organic inputs, water tanks and access to climate and weather services. Practical Action Bangladesh is working to reach more than 6,600 households in Khulna.

"When we provided support for these livelihoods, the idea was to help the communities living in the Sundarbans' Ecologically Critical Area (ECA) reduce their dependence on the resources of the forest. To achieve this, we provided support for various types of alternative livelihoods," said Tamanna Rahman, thematic lead of the project. 

For participating farmers, the objective is to reduce the risks of cultivation, improve household nutrition and create a dependable source of additional income.

"Since Practical Action implemented this work specifically in the Sundarbans ECA, we worked in three upazilas: Koyra, Dumuria, and Paikgachha. The communities in all three areas are highly marginalised, with very limited access to livelihood opportunities and market linkages. We focused heavily on providing direct livelihood inputs and building the capacity of community members," she added. 

A cleaner flame, a second source of income

In Uttor Modinabad village in Koyra, Selina Khatun's work day revolves around food, but the cost of preparing it once ate into the money her family could earn.

Selina helps her husband run a street-food business, preparing snacks such as chotpoti. Previously, the family relied on wood fires and homemade dung cakes for cooking. Fuel for each batch cost around Tk300.

The expense was only part of the problem. Traditional fuels require time and effort to collect and store, while smoke from inefficient stoves can irritate the eyes and airways.

With a household biogas plant provided through Nabapallab, Selina can now cook using a cleaner, more consistent flame. The change has reduced the family's reliance on purchased fuel and made food preparation more convenient.

It has also created a link between clean energy and agriculture.

The slurry left over from the biogas process can be used as an organic soil input in the family's kitchen garden. Selina grows vegetables for household consumption and sells the surplus locally. She hopes to sell compost in the future as well, opening another potential source of income.

"Regarding access to renewable energy, Practical Action provided various types of support, including biogas and biodigester systems, solar home systems, solar panels, solar-powered threshers and dryers, and solar hatching machines. We provided all these forms of support as part of our programme. Our focus was on designing interventions that were low-carbon intensive," said Tamanna. 

When the sun goes down, business no longer has to stop

Nasrin Begum runs a  small tea stall in Goroikhali village in Paikgachha. It is an important source of income for her family, particularly because her husband is unable to work due to illness.

Before receiving support from Nabapallab, the absence of reliable electricity restricted her business to daylight hours. Once darkness fell, serving customers became difficult, limiting the time she could earn money. 

Nasrin can now keep the stall open into the evening, serving customers after sunset. Project figures indicate that her daily earnings have risen from around Tk500 to Tk1,000.

The additional income gives her more room to cover household expenses and consider expanding the business.

Across remote coastal communities, unreliable or limited access to electricity can constrain economic activity as much as a lack of land or equipment. Solar systems designed to support livelihoods can help households extend working hours, improve lighting and reduce dependence on less sustainable energy sources.

"We also installed solar panels to help people run small businesses. For example, many people work in agricultural fields during the day, while some men in the households are involved in fishing-related activities. When they return home in the evening, they often engage in small-scale fish-processing activities. We installed solar home systems in some households so that they could continue these activities after dark and generate additional income," said Tamanna Rahman. 

In Khulna, participating households are being supported to improve fish-farming practices and manage production more effectively

Protecting the animals that protect household incomes

Livestock and poultry provide another source of food and income for rural families, but traditional shelters often offer inadequate protection against predators and severe weather.

For households raising ducks and chickens, losing several birds to a fox, mongoose or storm can erase a significant part of their investment. Disease can create further losses, particularly when vaccines and veterinary advice are difficult to access.

Through Nabapallab, selected households have received climate-resilient poultry coops designed to provide better protection during harsh weather and reduce exposure to predators. Families are also receiving support with vaccination, feeding, poultry management and animal care.

Aquaculture is another part of the project's livelihood strategy. In Khulna, participating households are being supported to improve fish-farming practices and manage production more effectively.

Shamim Ahmed, technical advisor of the Nabapallab project, explains how tailored aquaculture support is helping coastal communities strengthen their livelihoods. Recognising the challenges of salinity and limited access to quality fish seed, the project provided suitable fish species for freshwater and brackish-water ponds. It also supported local entrepreneurs through second-stage fish nursing, enabling them to rear fingerlings and sell them to farmers. 

"We addressed a critical gap by helping entrepreneurs produce larger fingerlings that were not readily available locally," Shamim explains. The project also promoted access to essential fish-farming inputs to encourage better pond management and sustainable livelihood opportunities. 

The project supported women in starting household-level fish farming by providing fish, essential inputs, feed, and hands-on training.

"We particularly focused on women, who caught our attention as a priority group. When we provide someone with fish, the necessary inputs, and training, they can start fish farming and earn an immediate income of around Tk10,000–15,000. This is a significant source of support for them in managing their household expenses. They receive fish feed and hands-on training, which equips them with practical skills they can use in the future," said Shamim. 

Fish farming can be a profitable livelihood, provided ponds are not damaged by disasters or flooding. 

"Once these women begin earning a profit, they can reinvest a portion of their earnings in the following years and continue the same activity. Gradually, this can help them transition from household-level fish farming in their homestead ponds to becoming commercial fish farmers," Shamim added. 

"We worked on regenerative agricultural support. In aquaculture, agriculture, and livestock combined, we helped develop approximately 140 entrepreneurs. We provided each of them with a grant of Tk50,000, which they used to start businesses, such as aquaculture ventures or livestock-rearing businesses," said Tamanna Rahman.

These experiences illustrate the potential for a more diversified rural economy, in which a family does not depend entirely on a single crop, a single pond or a single seasonal source of income.

However, diversification does not eliminate climate risk. A severe flood or disease outbreak can still affect several livelihood activities at once. 

But where the systems are managed sustainably, having multiple sources of food and income can give households more options when one source comes under pressure.