Impact of riverbank erosion: A case study

Human displacement is liable to occur in riverside regions where people are vulnerable to riverbank erosion. This vulnerability depends on factors such as population density and the economic conditions of the region's population. Short-term socioeconomic impacts on the displaced population include loss of home, agricultural land, jobs and assets. There will also be long-term socioeconomic impacts on the displaced population, including direct impacts on their living conditions and indirect impacts on human health and development, such as schooling for children and the health of mothers and children. Generally, short-term impacts are assessed in terms of needs for ex post assistance. However, the long-term socioeconomic impacts of riverbank erosion are rarely assessed from a policy perspective. The present study assesses these long-term impacts of bank erosion along the River Ganges. Analysis of survey data showed that the long-term socioeconomic impacts are severe, including increased income, or expenditure, poverty and also human poverty, in terms of poor living conditions, health and education. This paper concludes with a discussion of rehabilitation policy based on the survey results.