In the hills of Khagrachari, water is becoming an increasingly scarce resource. What was once abundant has now dwindled due to environmental degradation and shifting weather patterns, severely impacting the survival, health, and well-being of local populations. These communities are experiencing the effects of climate change firsthand, yet their stories remain largely unheard. This blog sheds light on their experiences and the pressing need for more inclusive, community-led approaches to addressing climate-induced loss and damage.
Water Scarcity in Khagrachari – A Growing Crisis
The water crisis in Khagrachari is a direct result of environmental changes. The once-plentiful natural water sources are drying up, forcing communities to travel great distances to access even the most basic necessities.
Monoranjan Tripura, 85, paints a stark picture of the situation:
“During the monsoon, we get a little water, but when the dry or summer seasons arrive, there’s hardly any water to be found. We have to walk two to three kilometres to fetch water, and even then it’s dirty. Yet we have no choice but to drink and bathe in this dirty water. What can we do? The water shortage is so severe.”
Monoranjan’s story is not just an anecdote of personal struggle but a symbol of the wider crisis faced by indigenous communities in Khagrachari. His lack of access to clean water is a direct consequence of environmental degradation, where deforestation and erratic rainfall have altered the natural landscape. This narrative offers insight into how interconnected climate impacts are from water shortages to the ripple effects they create in health, education, and social mobility. Waterborne diseases are common, and with little access to medical care, communities are left to fend for themselves. The crisis goes beyond access to water; it affects food security, sanitation, and education, as young children often miss school while helping their families secure water.
Resilience and Adaptation: Community Responses
Despite these daunting challenges, the communities of Khagrachari have demonstrated remarkable resilience and creativity in adapting to the impacts of environmental change, especially the water sources. They are not passive victims but actively find ways to respond to the water crisis, often through indigenous knowledge and community cooperation.
Sures, 65, describes how his community has adapted to water scarcity by drilling small holes in the rocks:
“To collect water, we drill 3-4 inch holes in the rocks, which slowly fill up overnight. In the morning, whoever arrives first gets the water; those who come later have to wait in line until the water seeps through the rocks again. Nearly 70-80 families depend on this single water source. People, including children, wait in line for 2 to 3 hours in the morning just to collect water. It’s not easy, but we have to adapt in any way we can.”
Environmental Degradation: The Root of the Crisis. Source: Author
Sures’s story of adaptation is a testament to human ingenuity and resilience, but it also sheds light on the limits of local efforts in the face of global climate challenges. While drilling holes in muddy and rocky hills is a resourceful method, it is unsustainable and burdens the community significantly, especially as rainfall becomes more erratic. The unpredictable weather patterns longer dry seasons, erratic rainfall render these adaptive strategies increasingly vulnerable. Without broader structural support, such as government interventions and sustainable infrastructure, these short-term solutions will eventually collapse under the weight of escalating environmental pressures.
One of the driving forces behind Khagrachari’s water crisis is environmental degradation. Deforestation, largely driven by unsustainable practices such as planting teak trees and jhum (slash-and-burn) cultivation, has significantly impacted the region’s water supply. As the natural landscape changes, the water-holding capacity of the land diminishes, leading to the drying up of streams and wells.
Doly Marma, 35, recalls how her community once relied on a stream near her home for water:
“Fifteen years ago, a small stream was near our house down the hill. We used to dig small holes in the stream to collect water. But now, that stream has dried up completely. They’ve cut down the trees around it and replaced them with teak trees. The bamboo that used to help preserve the water has been cleared, and the hill has been cut down, too. Now the stream doesn’t exist anymore.”
Doly’s account highlights how deforestation has disrupted the delicate ecological balance that once sustained the community. Bamboo trees, which traditionally played a crucial role in preserving water resources, have been replaced with commercial teak plantations, exacerbating the water crisis. This loss of biodiversity and ecosystem services is a key driver of the hardship faced by Indigenous communities like Doly’s.
Moving Forward: The Call for Support
The communities in Khagrachari are not just seeking to survive they are asking for help to build a more resilient future. While they have adapted in remarkable ways, there is a clear call for outside support, particularly from government and non-governmental organisations (NGOs), to address the long-term impacts of climate change and environmental degradation.
Doly Marma speaks to the urgency of this need:
“The only way out is if an NGO or the government helps us. A regular tube well won’t work in these hills—we need a deep tube well or a new water tank to store water. If they could preserve the streams and stop cutting down the bamboo, that might also help us.”
Doly’s call for help reflects the broader need for systemic support in addressing the impacts of climate change. Despite their resilience, local communities cannot tackle the complex and growing challenges of environmental degradation and water scarcity on their own. The government and NGOs must step in, not just with temporary solutions like water tanks, but with long-term investments that address the root causes of the crisis. The resilience and leadership shown by these communities offer valuable lessons for the global fight against climate change.
Interviewer’s Perspective
The stories from Khagrachari offer a glimpse into the daily struggles of communities on the frontlines of climate change. These voices need to be heard—not just as accounts of hardship but as urgent calls for action. By amplifying their stories, we build a stronger evidence base that can drive policy decisions and inspire the systemic changes needed to build lasting climate resilience. The resilience and leadership of these communities show us valuable lessons as we confront the global challenge of climate change together.
For me, conducting these interviews has been a deeply moving experience. These are not merely stories of loss; they are also stories of strength, hope, and the relentless pursuit of a sustainable future.
Bangladesh is already grappling with immense loss and damage caused by a changing climate. Yet, the stories that reach global audiences are often those of the Bengali people from the plains. The experiences of indigenous communities in the hill tracts remain largely absent from national media. We must prioritise research on how environmental changes are affecting these often-overlooked populations. Greater focus on the impacts in the hill tracts will promote equality, diversity, and inclusion in environmental research, helping to ensure climate justice for all.
About the interviewees
All six interview participants belong to indigenous communities and have lived their entire lives in Khagrachari. They are subsistence farmers, relying on traditional tools and techniques to cultivate crops and gather food from the wilderness in the hill tracts. They face significant challenges economically, with limited financial resources and minimal access to formal education. Most have little to no phone or internet access, making communication and connectivity difficult. The term “climate change” holds no meaning for them, whether in Bangla as Jolobayu Poriborton or in their native Chakma language, yet they live through its daily impacts.
About the interviewer
Misu Akter is a dedicated climate advocate from Khagrachari, Bangladesh, with a focus on amplifying the voices of indigenous communities affected by climate change. Currently pursuing her MSc in Science at Chittagong College, she has been actively involved in grassroots initiatives aimed at building community resilience. Misu has worked with organisations like the International Center for Climate Change and Development (ICCCAD) and Transparency International Bangladesh, gaining experience in climate advocacy, project implementation, and youth leadership.
Her passion lies in addressing loss and damage, environmental justice, and ensuring that marginalised voices are heard in national and global climate discussions. Through her work, Misu strives to create a more inclusive and sustainable future for all communities impacted by environmental challenges.
