Nature-based solutions to disasters in the Indian Ocean region

In March last year, Cyclone Amphan, said to be the first super cyclone to form in the Bay of Bengal since 1999, devastated the state of West Bengal, killing more than a hundred people. At least 140,000 people died and two million people were displaced when Cyclone Nargis struck the Irrawaddy Delta in Burma (Myanmar) in May 2008. It seemed as if a bucket of water had been sloshed across an ink drawing; the carefully marked lines of the delta's waterways had been erased and the paper beneath was buckled and distorted.

 

Only on May 25, 2021, I discussed these issue in a workshop organised by Australia, Bangladesh and IORA about how can we use nature-based solutions for reducing the impacts of disasters and climate impacts. These so-called "nature- based solutions" are important pieces in the puzzle in building the resilience of coastal areas, mangroves, seagrasses, tidal marshes, and communities to an ever-increasing number of disaster events around the world, especially in the Indian Ocean region. Nature-based solutions are relevant to everyone, and we can all benefit from seeing them applied.