River's Edge, Barguna District

After the Cyclone, the Flood

On the river's edge, Barguna District, southern Bangladesh, sandbags attempt to stall the inundation of the water. Damaged huts tilt towards the river. Whereas Cyclone Sidr caused devastation with very strong winds, in this area, Cyclone Aila brought with it massive water damage through inundation from nearby rivers and from the Bay of Bengal. Moreover, the Monsoon is altering with climate change: it commenced in Bangladesh this year at the time it normally concludes. Less predictable than before, the character of the Monsoon is also changing, disrupting traditional farming practices.

Khas Land Occupation

In the Kaliganj area - the poorest in Satkhira district in southern Bangladesh - shrimp nets lay idle on the khas land occupied by 12,000 families. Organised by the BKF, and occupied since 1998, families survive on fish and shrimp fishing. Cyclone Aila - an extreme weather event - damaged homes and inundated the land with salt water. As a result women have to travel for four hours a day to collect fresh water. Alerted by blowing whistles and flashing torches, families defend the island from goonda attacks using glass marbles fired from catapults and wielding bamboo lathis (sticks). In one of the attacks, Kisani Sabha leader, Jayada was killed. The government has yet to grant legal title to the poor and so the occupation continues.

Islands of the Occupation

Fishing boats at the tip of an occupied char. For a successful land occupation, the movement needs a strong occupation committe, whose leaders can withstand attacks by the landlords' goondas (hired thugs); a strong mass mobilization; a medical team who can provide medical treatment to those who suffer physical attacks; and a legal team to fight the legal cases brought by landlords in the local courts in an attempt to stop the occupation.

Monsoon Flooding

During the Monsoon, the river inundates the low lying land of the occupied islands (chars), creating problems in terms of protecting grazing cattle, growing food etc.

Ganges Delta

Travelling south through the Monsoon-swollen rivers of the Ganges delta. Peasant homes cling to the small crops of land not yet inundated by the river's swell.

Bangladesh Kisani Sabha

Members of the Lisani Sabha (Landless peasant women's association) in a meeting in Kurigram district, northern Bangladesh.