Dietary diversity among Sundarbans forest-dependent communities: Prevalence, determinants, and livelihood implications

Challenges of Daily Nutrition in the Sundarbans

In the vast mangrove forests of the Sundarbans, spanning Bangladesh and India, millions rely on its resources for survival. These communities, often called Sundarbans Mangrove Forest Resource-Dependent Communities or SMFRDCs, face unique struggles with food and nutrition. A recent cross-sectional survey in coastal districts like Khulna, Satkhira, and Bagerhat uncovered that dietary diversity—the variety of foods consumed over a period—is alarmingly low among these groups. Many households stick to a narrow range of items, mainly rice, vegetables, and occasional forest-gathered foods, leading to potential nutrient gaps that affect health and growth, especially in children.

The Sundarbans provides fish, crabs, honey, and wild plants, but seasonal bans, salinity in soil, and climate threats limit access. Agriculture and livestock rearing struggle here due to brackish water, pushing people deeper into forest dependency. This reliance often means reduced food intake during lean times, as families cut back to cope with shortages. Researchers noted that physical vulnerabilities, like living close to flood-prone areas, combined with overall household food insecurity, worsen the situation, trapping families in a cycle of monotonous meals.

Key Factors Shaping Dietary Habits

Education emerges as a powerful driver of better diets in these communities. Individuals with secondary or higher education were far more likely to achieve diverse nutrition, perhaps because they understand balanced eating or pursue varied income sources. Occupational flexibility plays a huge role too—those juggling multiple seasonal jobs, such as fishing in one season and forest collection in another, enjoyed significantly higher dietary variety compared to single-occupation workers.

Location matters in unexpected ways. Residents in certain upazilas, like those near Dacope, showed slightly better diversity than others, possibly due to proximity to markets or less severe isolation. However, being too close to the forest core sometimes hinders access, as travel risks and restrictions bite. Household dynamics, including size and income stability, also influence outcomes, with larger families often spreading resources thin. Gender roles add layers, as women managing homes might prioritize staples over variety.

"Engaging in multiple seasonal occupations significantly boosts our chances of eating a range of foods, from fish and crabs to vegetables we grow or gather—it's about adapting to what the forest and seasons offer, rather than relying on one thing," said a local fisherman from Bagerhat district.

Livelihood Ties and Paths Forward

The forest's role in livelihoods is double-edged. While it sustains over 2.5 million people directly, co-management efforts by forest departments and NGOs have mixed success. Bans on collection during breeding seasons help ecosystems but leave families hungry without alternatives. Communities report frustration with selection processes for management groups, often excluding those most dependent on the forest. This disconnect hampers sustainable strategies that could link resource use to better nutrition.

Diversifying livelihoods could be key. Promoting education, skill training for off-season work, and market access for forest products might elevate diets. Integrating nutrition programs with forest co-management, perhaps through community gardens resistant to salinity or fish farming cooperatives, holds promise. Policymakers are urged to consider these transforming structures—like better infrastructure and fair resource policies—to break vulnerability cycles. Physical threats from cyclones and rising seas compound issues, demanding resilient approaches that prioritize food security alongside conservation.

In wrapping up, the study spotlights low dietary diversity in Sundarbans communities driven by education gaps, single occupations, food insecurity, and location challenges, all intertwined with forest-dependent livelihoods. Addressing these through targeted education, occupational variety, and inclusive management could foster healthier futures amid environmental pressures.