Resilience Amid Adversity: Climate Challenges and the Struggles of the Dalit Community in Chuadanga

The Dalit community in the Chuadanga district of Bangladesh, faces the dual burden of systematic marginalization and climate change impacts. Historically subjected to social discrimination, Dalits are disproportionately affected by climate-induced disasters, exacerbated by the region's geographic and socio-economic vulnerabilities (Parvin et al., 2018). In addition to this, the district has recorded the highest temperatures during summertime in 2024, signalling an emerging set of challenges for the communities - especially those more marginalised than others (Dhaka Tribune, 2024). 

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This sentiment is echoed by a local resident who lamented, "No one values us. People hear to them who have money, who have a job." Deforestation, combined with illegal embankments and dam constructions, has significantly altered the Mathavanga River, once a critical resource for agriculture and livelihoods (Ahmed & Schmitz, 2011). As the river's flow diminished, residents recalled its former abundance: "In our childhood, we saw it full of water; now, a little child can walk through it to the other shore." Despite local movements like "Save Mathavanga River," governmental and organizational inaction continues to threaten the river’s survival.

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Financial challenges compound these difficulties. Since 2018, rising commodity prices have exacerbated the Dalit community’s struggles. With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, many families were forced to cut down trees planted by their ancestors to meet immediate financial needs. This necessity was heartbreakingly articulated by one community member: "Now 500 tk income and 1000 tk expense. Besides, we have loan to pay. Suppose I planted 10 trees, after 10/15 years, my son is sitting in an exam, he needs 20k tk, so I need to cut the trees. That’s how trees are decreasing." Tree-cutting, though detrimental to the environment, reflects the harsh trade-offs between survival today and sustainability tomorrow (Sovacool et al., 2017).

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Extreme heat further complicates daily life, particularly for the men who rely on physical labor for survival. One laborer shared, "People like us (day labor), if [we] don’t work for one hour, let alone a day, we face hardship in living...we need to take a loan." Prolonged exposure to high temperatures leaves them vulnerable to health issues such as lethargy, headaches, and fever, findings consistent with global studies on heat stress and labor productivity (Kjellstrom et al., 2016). Women, who often manage household chores in poorly ventilated tin homes, endure persistent migraines and other heat-induced ailments. Despite these challenges, families remain resolute in their pursuit of education for their children, hoping to break the cycle of poverty.

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However, educational aspirations are often met with systemic discrimination. Dalit parents express frustration that even with higher degrees, their children struggle to find employment. One parent remarked, "Our child is not getting [a] job for being Indigenous. A BA, MA pass boy is running [an] auto after study. Then what’s the point of study?" Such experiences discourage many from prioritizing education, perpetuating socio-economic inequalities (Jahan & Kabir, 2020).

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Children also suffer the consequences of extreme heat, finding it difficult to concentrate in unbearably hot classrooms. Frequent illnesses like fevers, headaches, and diarrhea disrupt their education, further jeopardizing their future prospects. This intersection of environmental and socio-economic challenges leaves the community in a precarious position, forcing them to adapt through creative yet limited measures.

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Despite these adversities, the Dalit community is demonstrating resilience. Vegetable gardens and handicraft initiatives provide supplementary income, while traditional practices like layering ceilings with "chon" help mitigate indoor heat. Additionally, families seek refuge under tree canopies and refresh themselves with homemade saline drinks during heatwaves. These grassroots strategies align with broader evidence highlighting the importance of community-led climate adaptation efforts (Archer et al., 2014).