Abstract

Climate change disrupts the ecosystem and decimates nature-dependent populations. The dried fish business in Cox’s Bazar relies on raw fish. The community in Cox’s Bazar district largely depends on these industries, which have contributed to poverty alleviation and local economic growth. However, they also have mixed ecological impacts, including positive outcomes and challenges such as waste generation. This paper assesses livelihood vulnerability in the coastal areas of Cox’s Bazar and Kutubdia through the LVI, LVI-IPCC, and various statistical tests. Data collection involved a survey of 150 households at each site, two focus group discussions (FGDs) at each site, and one key informant interview (KII) in each area. The results indicate that Kutubdia Island is more vulnerable than Cox’s Bazar, with an LVI value of 0.437. Initiatives for eco-friendliness, such as the adoption of Smart Solar Sun-Dryers, are being implemented. At the same time, the waste from this industry, which constitutes 14% of the waste in Cox’s Bazar, is increasingly being reused for fish feed. These findings underscore the dual impact of this industry on the environment and its crucial role in the livelihoods of local communities. This will help policymakers formulate effective strategies for resource allocation, development planning, and policy formulation.