Gendered vulnerabilities and adaptation strategies in the char-chapori areas of Assam (India–Bangladesh Border)

Situated along the India–Bangladesh border, the char-chapori areas (riverine areas) in Dhubri district of Assam face ecological and humanitarian challenges. The inhabitants of the region, predominantly Muslims and often labelled as “illegal immigrants”, endure persistent scrutiny from state institutions and are treated with considerable disdain by the “mainstream” society in Assam. This article examines the fundamental causes behind the state’s oversight and neglect of the char inhabitants. Given the annual floods, this article examines the effectiveness of the “adaptation strategies” employed by women to navigate the challenges presented by the monsoon season. Grounded in a field study and articulated through lived experiences of women, as well as supported by secondary sources, this article contends that “feminisation of poverty” remains a key feature in the char areas of Dhubri. Importantly, issues related to “detection, detention, and deportation” have further heightened the anxieties for women in the region.