Research Article

Effect of Salinity Intrusion on Food Crops, Livestock, and Fish Species at Kalapara Coastal Belt in Bangladesh

Table 8

Effects of salinity on crops, fisheries, and livestock at Kalapara coastal belt of Bangladesh.

CropsFisheriesLivestock

Total cropping areas are 39102 hectare (ha). During Aman season (June to September), 90% of areas are covered by rice. Salinity intrusion is highly visible during dry season (October–May). Cultivation of crops is at an extreme risk as a result of high salinity intrusion.The number of fresh water bodies recorded at Kalapara coastal area is 18300 with total area of 857 ha. Out of these areas, 2-3% are converted into shrimp culture. Other areas are replaced by saline water fish. Several occurrences of adaptation are ongoing such as introduction of crab fish and Koral and salinity tolerance tilapia fish.About 200 ha grazing/fodder crop areas have been affected each year due to salinity intrusion. For this reason, food shortage is one of the crucial issues for livestock production in this coastal region. Due to intake of salinity affected fodder crops by livestock, several diseases were found such as diarrhea, skin diseases, liver fluke, loss of body weight, and breakdown of immune system.

Data were collected from the office of Department of Agriculture and Extension (DAE), Department of Fisheries (DOF), and Department of Livestock Office (DLO) at Kalapar Upazila.