Chapter 10: Examining Climate Change/Variability and Local Adaptation Strategy in the Traditional Marine Fishing Community of Coastal Bengal, India

The coastal districts of West Bengal are increasingly vulnerable to the complex impacts of climate change, particularly among traditional marine fishing communities whose livelihoods depend on natural resources. This study explores long-term climatic trends (1901–2022) and local adaptation strategies. Using high-resolution climatic datasets from the Climatic Research Unit and the UK Met Office, the study applies non-parametric statistical methods, including the Mann–Kendall trend test and Sen’s slope estimator, to assess key variables: temperature (average, minimum, maximum), rainfall, potential evapotranspiration, vapour pressure, wet day frequency, and cloud cover. Quantitative analysis is supported by qualitative insights from 480 fishing households, revealing local perceptions, traditional knowledge, and adaptive practices. The results indicate statistically significant warming trends across all three districts, with annual temperature increases of 0.00576°C–0.00627°C, amounting to 0.7°C–0.8°C over 121 years. Rising evapotranspiration and vapour pressure point to increasing hydrological stress. While total annual rainfall shows no significant trend, wet day frequency suggests altered rainfall patterns. These climatic changes are already affecting traditional fishing practices, prompting adaptive responses such as shifting fishing schedules and zones, gear modification, livelihood diversification, and community-based disaster preparedness. The study concludes that these grassroots adaptation efforts, grounded in indigenous knowledge, reflect strong local resilience but remain largely autonomous and under-supported. Integrating scientific climate analysis with community-level responses is essential for developing inclusive, evidence-based policies to strengthen long-term resilience in coastal West Bengal.