Indigenous knowledge and community disaster resilience to cyclones: Evidence from the south-central coastal region of Bangladesh

The coastal region of Bangladesh is highly vulnerable to climate change and climate-induced disasters, particularly cyclones and storm surges. Coastal communities experience various disasters almost every year. Over generations, local people have developed indigenous knowledge and traditional practices to reduce disaster risks and cope with environmental challenges. These locally developed practices play an important role in strengthening community resilience and supporting disaster adaptation. The main objective of this study was to identify, assess, and document indigenous knowledge practices used for cyclone and storm surge disaster risk reduction in the coastal region of Bangladesh. The study was conducted in Dashmina Upazila of Patuakhali District in the south-central coastal region of Bangladesh. Both primary and secondary data were collected through Focus Group Discussions (FGDs), Key Informant Interviews (KIIs), direct observations, case studies, and literature review. The study identified several important indigenous practices for disaster risk reduction and climate adaptation. These include keeping valuable items under the soil during cyclone warnings, wearing mobility-supportive clothing during cyclones and storm surges, planting disaster-resilient trees along embankments, collecting rainwater for future use, storing cooking fuel on raised platforms, exchanging food support through social relationships during crises, using portable clay stoves during floods, drying and storing cow dung as fuel, hanging valuable items and food from house crossbeams, and using local fish conservation techniques during flooding. The findings indicate that indigenous knowledge provides simple, low-cost, locally available, and environmentally sustainable solutions for disaster preparedness and resilience in coastal communities. The study suggests that indigenous knowledge and local practices should be recognized and integrated into disaster risk reduction planning, climate adaptation programs, and development initiatives to enhance community resilience in coastal Bangladesh.