5.1. Introduction
The land includes soil and
topography, in fact, all the physical features of given location. It reflects
the interaction of physical conditions, natural processes, and human response
to them in social and economic terms. Very often it is the economic situation
which dictates the planning and use of land (Robert Arvill, 1969). There are
several reasons for changing land use pattern in the coastal area. The land use
changing particularly with the process of shrimp farming, its influences and
consequences on the land over the period of several years have been given more
emphasis to this study. The variabilities involved with the shrimp cultivation
and its impacts on the land also taken under consideration.
In this chapter, therefore an
attempt has been to analyses the patterns of land use change in the study area
during the study period (1975-99). For this purpose eight major land use
categories were identified in the study area as:
-
settlement
and associated homestead garden
-
cropland
/ agricultural land use
-
shrimp
ghers
-
unused
land
-
water
bodies
-
road
networks
-
educational
institutes
-
major
commercial points
The mauza wise above land use
information in the Thana map was incorporated to see overall land use changes of
this study. All the land use analysis has been made on the Thana map. Figure 5.1 shows the land use before
the advent of shrimp cultivation in the study area. At that time very few of
land were used for shrimp cultivation though Shamnagar, Kaliganj, Koira in
Satkhira district and Paikgacha upazila in Khulna district were practiced since
1970. Discussion with the local people it is mentioned that there was a moneyed
man from Paikgacha named Zamat Ali and imported shrimp farming technology to
the Rampal upazila in 1975. Sheikh Hadi Munsi of Gourambha Union also started
shrimp firming in the same year with the influence of Mr. Zamat Ali.
5.2
LAND USE PATTERN
In Bangladesh National
Conservation Strategy identified six important areas of conflicting land uses in
rural areas. These are:
-
crop
agriculture vs. shrimp and capture fisheries;
-
forest
vs. shrimp and capture fisheries;
-
crop
agriculture vs. livestock;
-
agriculture
vs. settlements;
-
agriculture
vs. brick fields and
-
agriculture
vs. newly accreted char lands.
Traditional systems found ways
to make these various land uses compatible. These manifested in traditional
seasonal shrimp culture and rice cropping, fallow periods and community grazing
land for livestock. Due to population pressure on land, however, these
traditional approaches are breaking down; available agriculture land per capita
is roughly half of what it was 25 years ago (Fifth Five Year Plan, 1997-2002).
As a result, more intensified uses such as intensified mono cropping and
intensified shrimp cultivation are degrading soil fertility.
Shrimp cultivation within BWDB
poldered area was not permitted from the long time since 1962 to 1975 in the
study area. The situation rapidly changed within 10 years and most of the
agricultural land converted to shrimps gher (Figure 5.2). Due to strictness of law by BWDB, delayed shrimp
farming in the Mollikerber union since 1995. At present most of the
agricultural land of this union converted to shrimp farm. On the other side,
the area of shrimp farm in Gourambha union decreased in 1985 due to pressure of
the local people and strictness of BWDB authority against shrimp farming within
the poldered area. As a result, there is no significant difference for changing
of land use during 1975-99 (Figure 5.3).
The broad classification of
land uses in the study area is shown in Table
5.1. The major portion of the land was arable since 1975, shows 81 per cent
while 19 per cent was non-arable consisting of settlement land, ponds, shrimp
ghers, homesteads garden etc. Land uses during 1975-85 have been changed
significantly due to advent of shrimp cultivation. Most of the agricultural
lands have been converted to shrimps farm. The percentage of agricultural land
uses were decreased 15 per cent to 49 per cent, and to 64 per cent during the
period of 1985-75, 1999-85 and 1999-75 respectively. Consequently, the changes
land uses occupied by shrimp farming-cum-agriculture were increased 13 per
cent, 45 per cent and 59 per cent during 1985-75, 1999-85 and 1999-75.
Table 5.1: Land uses over
different time
|
Land
Use
|
Percentage of Total Land
|
Percentage of Difference in
|
||||
|
|
1975
|
1985
|
1999
|
1985-75
|
1999-85
|
1999-75
|
|
Only Agriculture
|
81.3
|
66.7
|
17.8
|
-14.7
|
-48.9
|
-63.5
|
|
Gher
|
1.4
|
3.1
|
7.9
|
1.7
|
4.9
|
6.6
|
|
Agriculture + Gher
|
1.3
|
14.7
|
59.7
|
13.4
|
45.0
|
58.5
|
|
Pond
|
3.0
|
3.0
|
2.6
|
0.0
|
-0.3
|
-0.3
|
|
Settlement
|
12.3
|
11.7
|
10.9
|
-0.7
|
-0.8
|
-1.4
|
|
Household Garden
|
0.6
|
0.7
|
0.7
|
0.1
|
0.0
|
0.1
|
|
Fallow Land
|
0.1
|
0.2
|
0.2
|
0.1
|
0.0
|
0.1
|
|
Total
|
100
|
100
|
100
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
Source: Field survey, 1999
In the group of non-arable
land, homesteads occupy 12 per cent of land in 1975, which slightly decreased
to 0.7 per cent, 0.8 and 1.4 per cent during the period of 1985-75, 1999-85 and
1999-75 respectively. Ponds and ditches
occupy about 3 per cent of the total land. Pond and ditches are the sources of
water to the farmers for his household purposes, livestock drinking and washing
purpose and for fish cultivation.
5.2.1
Size of Land Holding
The size of land holding in the
study is varied over the different time. Average land holding is found 5.0
acres (Table 5.2). The size of land
holding 0.5 acres is called landless which increased significantly after the
inception of shrimp cultivation. The landless farmers operated only 8.6 per
cent of the total land in 1975 while in 1985 it is increased to 12.2 per cent
and shows 16.1 per cent in 1999. The marginal farmer (2.5-7.5 acres) families
operate 28.6 per cent of the total land in 1975, in 1985, it goes to 34.2 per
cent and in 1999 this figure increased to 36.9 per cent. The middle and rich
farmers families having 7.5-16.0 acres of land consists of 21.9 of the total
households during 1975 while in 1999 they operates 11.9 per cent of land.
Jotdars or large farmers (16 acres and above) keeping their land consistently
constituted 6.0 per cent occupied of the total land since 1975 while 4.1 per
cent found in 1985 and 5.9 per cent in 1999 respectively. The above figure
shows the uneven distribution of land among the various farm size groups, which
result ultimately in the creation of uneconomical society.
Table 5.2: Size of the Land
holding
|
Size of land
|
Percentage of the total land
|
||
|
Holding
|
1975
|
1985
|
1999
|
|
<0.5
|
8.6
|
12.2
|
16.1
|
|
0.51-2.5
|
34.9
|
30.7
|
29.1
|
|
2.51-7.5
|
28.6
|
34.2
|
36.9
|
|
7.51-16.0
|
21.9
|
18.7
|
11.9
|
|
16+
|
6.0
|
4.1
|
5.9
|
|
Total
|
100.0
|
100.0
|
100.0
|
Source: Field Survey, 1999
5.2.2
Land Division
The
increasing number of small farms seems to relate demography and culture in the
study area. Owing to a rapid growth of population the existing farms have
subsequently been fragmented and sub-divided over the years, leading to a
smaller size of operational holding. The
working farmers are thus forced to supplement their income and food supply in a
variety of ways including sharecropping, working as labours on large farm, or
seeking jobs elsewhere.
Land fragmentation in the study
area has been occurred one to one tenth division. Table 5.3 gives the trend of land fragmentation after taken
possession from paternal property. Most of land divisions have been occurred
since 1975 represent 92 per cent of the total sample household followed by 7
per cent in 1985. Land division ½ and ¯ have got top ranking accounts
23 per cent and 22 per cent of the total sample households.
Table 5.3: Division of Paternal
property Own by Respondents in Different Times
|
Division
|
1975
|
|
1985
|
|
1999
|
|
|
|
No.
|
%
|
No.
|
%
|
No.
|
%
|
|
1
|
40
|
11.7
|
1
|
4.0
|
1
|
16.7
|
|
1/2
|
80
|
23.3
|
3
|
12.0
|
1
|
16.7
|
|
1/3
|
74
|
21.6
|
6
|
24.0
|
1
|
16.7
|
|
1/4
|
60
|
17.5
|
3
|
12.0
|
2
|
33.3
|
|
1/5
|
47
|
13.7
|
3
|
12.0
|
1
|
16.7
|
|
1/6
|
26
|
7.6
|
7
|
28.0
|
0
|
0.0
|
|
1/7
|
6
|
1.7
|
0
|
0.0
|
0
|
0.0
|
|
1/8
|
7
|
2.0
|
1
|
4.0
|
0
|
0.0
|
|
1/9
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
0
|
|
1/10
|
3
|
0.9
|
1
|
4.0
|
0
|
0.0
|
|
Total
|
343
|
100
|
25
|
100
|
6
|
100
|
|
%
|
92
|
|
7
|
|
2
|
100
|
Source: Field Survey, 1999
Percentage of loosing paternal
property in terms of given possession to the second party (selling the land)
increased gradually since 1975. Table 5.4
shows that the percentage of loosing land during the period of 1985-75, 1999-85
and 1999-75 have been found 5.7 per cent, 7.7 per cent and 13.4 per cent
respectively.
Table 5.4: Losses of paternal
property head of the household
|
Types
of
|
Percentage
|
Difference in
|
||||
|
Losses
|
1975
|
1985
|
1999
|
1985-75
|
1999-85
|
1999-75
|
|
Sold
|
71.4
|
77.1
|
84.8
|
5.7
|
7.7
|
13.4
|
|
Leased
|
0.0
|
1.6
|
9.2
|
1.6
|
7.6
|
9.2
|
|
River
Erosion
|
14.3
|
19.7
|
3.0
|
5.4
|
-16.6
|
-11.3
|
|
Road
Construction
|
14.3
|
1.6
|
3.0
|
-12.6
|
1.4
|
-11.3
|
|
Total
|
100
|
100
|
100
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
Source: Field survey, 1999
Table
5.5 indicate
that the marginal farmers having the land 0.5 – 2.5 acres were affected
severely, 11 per cent during 1985-75 and 10 per cent in 1999-75.
Table 5.5: Size of land of the
losses paternal property of the head of the household
|
Land
in Acre
|
Percentage
|
Difference in
|
||||
|
|
1975
|
1985
|
1999
|
1985-75
|
1999-85
|
1999-75
|
|
<0.5
|
28.6
|
10.2
|
12.1
|
-18.4
|
2.0
|
-16.5
|
|
0.5-2.5
|
57.1
|
67.8
|
66.7
|
10.7
|
-1.1
|
9.5
|
|
2.51-7.5
|
14.3
|
16.9
|
18.2
|
2.7
|
1.2
|
3.9
|
|
7.51-16
|
0.0
|
5.1
|
0.0
|
5.1
|
-5.1
|
0.0
|
|
16+
|
0.0
|
0.0
|
3.0
|
0.0
|
3.0
|
3.0
|
|
Total
|
100
|
100
|
100
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
Source: Field survey, 1999
5.2.3
Settlements
Village is the basic unit of
rural settlements in the study area. Most of the villages are clustered and
houses are normally built on relatively elevated land. The average density of
settlements is about 0.47 villages per sq. km, which is lower than that of
country as whole (0.66 village per sq. km). Table 5.6 shows the year wise village density per sq. km2
population density of the study area. Number of villages decreased gradually due
to partially subdivision of study area to newly created Mongla upazila in 1983
and ten villages have gone to Bagerhat sadar upazila in 1996, resulting
depression of population density in 1991.
Table 5.6: Year wise Village
density of the Study Area
|
Year
|
Upazila
area sq. km
|
No.
of Village
|
No.
Village per sq. km
|
|
1974
|
490
|
244
|
0.50
|
|
1981
|
335
|
227
|
0.67
|
|
1991
|
335
|
149
|
0.44
|
|
1997
|
277
|
135
|
0.49
|
Source: BBS, 1992
Distribution of
Settlement Area
The homestead land in the study area is gradually
decreased with the increase of shrimp farming. A trend is noticeable in the
distribution of land according to the size of settlement during the period
1975-1999. In 1975, about 12.3 per cent of total land were under homestead,
while in 1985 and 1999 shows 11.7 per cent and 10.9 per cent respectively. The
percentage of changes from 1985 to 1975 is –0.7 and in 1999 to 1975 is –1.4 (Table 5.1).
Table 5.7 shows the percentage of respondents according to
the size homestead land. It appears that settlement of less than 2.5 acres are
increasing. The process is reversed for holding of five acres or more. About
54.5 per cent of the respondents belong to the landless category while in 1985
it was changed to 62.8 per cent and in 1999, it was 88.8 per cent of the
respondents found belong the land less than 0.5 acres. Simultaneously, the
percentage of the respondent belonging the land having 0.5 to 2.5 acres
decreased over different years constituting 8.3 per cent, 25.9 per cent and
34.2 per cent during 1985-75, 1999-85 and 1999-75 respectively.
Table 5.7: Size of Homestead land in the Study
Area
|
Size
|
Percentage of Total Household
|
Difference in
|
||||
|
|
1975
|
1985
|
1999
|
1985-75
|
1999-85
|
1999-75
|
|
<0.5
|
54.5
|
62.8
|
88.8
|
8.3
|
25.9
|
34.2
|
|
0.5-2.5
|
45.5
|
37.2
|
11.2
|
-8.3
|
-25.9
|
-34.2
|
|
2.51-7.5
|
0.0
|
0.0
|
0.0
|
0.0
|
0.0
|
0.0
|
|
7.51-16.00
|
0.0
|
0.0
|
0.0
|
0.0
|
0.0
|
0.0
|
|
16.00+
|
0.0
|
0.0
|
0.0
|
0.0
|
0.0
|
0.0
|
|
Total
|
100
|
100
|
100
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
Source: Field survey, 1999
Housing
Characteristics
Most of the housing structures are prevailing
rural in nature. Sleeping units of households is generally made south facing,
while kitchens are constructed west facing. Cattle sheds and latrines was found
west facing. Most of the houses were having an outer courtyard. There are
variations in the design, size and height of the built houses. Large farmers normally
own houses made of CI sheets. Roofs with four facets of CI sheets, locally
called chouchala and with two facets
called dochala, shows two major
variation in design and indicate the position of the farmer in the society.
Construction materials of the houses are mainly made of indigenous locally
available, such as bamboo, straw, grass, jute sticks, golpata, mud, and CI sheet (Plate 2). The wall and roof are made of
straw, jute stick and bamboo represent 60.47 per cent and 71.60 percent
respectively (Table 5.8). Pucca
structure having brick wall and RCC roof comprising approximately only 1.81 per
cent and 2.91 per cent.
Table 5.8: Dwelling
Households by Material of Wall and Material of Roof of the Main Structure
|
Wall
materials
|
M a t e r i a l s o f R o o f
|
|||
|
|
No. of household
|
Straw/Bamboo/ polythene
|
Tiles/C.I./Metal
Sheet
|
Cement
Concrete
|
|
Straw/Bamboo
|
19817
(60.47)
|
19253
(71.60)
|
564
(10.22)
|
-
|
|
Mud/Unburnt
Brick
|
2067
(6.31)
|
1872
(6.96)
|
195
(3.53)
|
-
|
|
C.I./Metal
Sheet
|
647
(1.97)
|
121
(0.45)
|
526
(9.53)
|
-
|
|
Wood
|
9646
(29.43)
|
5574
(20.73)
|
4072
(73.79)
|
-
|
|
Cement/Brick
|
593
(1.81)
|
66
(0.25)
|
161
(2.91)
|
366
(100.00)
|
|
Total
(%)
|
32770
(100.00)
|
26886
(100.00)
|
5518
(100.00)
|
366
(100.00)
|
Source: BBS, 1992
Note:
Figures in parenthesis indicates percentage
5.3.2 Agricultural Land
In Bangladesh over thirty per
cent of the net cultivable area is in the coast. Out of 28.5 million hectares
of coastal and offshore areas about 0.833 millions hectares of the arable
lands, which constitutes about 52.8 per cent of the net cultivable area in 64
upazilas of 13 districts. Most of the land in the coast is affected by varying
degrees of soil salinity (Z. Karim & et.
al. 1990). Agricultural land use in the study area is very poor, which is
much lower than the country’s average cropping intensity (151%) ranging from
128 per cent in Bagerhat district and 104 per cent in Rampal upazila (BBS,
1984-85). Data from field survey in 1999, the cropping intensity in the study
area depicted 100 per cent (Table 5.9).
Double-cropped area were found 13 per cent in 1975, while in 1985 it was
decreased to 5.3 per cent and in 1999, there was no land available for double
cropped area.
Table 5.9: Cropped Area
|
Types
of
|
Per cent of Total Area
|
Total
cultivable land
|
||||
|
Cropped
area
|
1975
|
1985
|
1999
|
1975
|
1985
|
1999
|
|
Single
cropped area
|
87.0
|
94.7
|
100.0
|
87.0
|
94.7
|
100.0
|
|
Double
cropped area
|
13.0
|
5.3
|
0.0
|
26.0
|
10.6
|
-
|
|
Triple
cropped area
|
0.0
|
0.0
|
0.0
|
00
|
00
|
-
|
|
Total
|
100
|
100
|
100
|
113.0
|
105.3
|
100.0
|
|
Cropping
Intensity
|
|
|
|
113.0
|
105.3
|
100.0
|
Source: Field survey, 1999
Different rice-based cropping patterns are
observed in the study area. The most common practice is to grow single
transplanted aman rice. Some farmers
at higher elevations grow broadcast aman
followed by transplanted aman. The
cultivation of modern varieties is very poor. Table 5.10 shows, wheat and jute were grown before 1980. Brackish
water shrimp cultivation when increased substantially the wheat and jute
gradually diminished and after 1980s, there was no land available for wheat and
jute cultivation.
Table 5.10: Area of
Rice, Wheat and Jute in the Rampal Thana
|
Year
|
Area
in Acre
|
||||||||
|
|
Aus
|
Aman
|
Boro
|
Wheat
|
Jute
|
||||
|
|
Local
|
HYV
|
Local
|
HYV
|
Local
|
HYV
|
Local
|
HYV
|
|
|
1974-75
|
-
|
219
|
97456
|
830
|
|
130
|
2
|
1
|
58
|
|
1975-76
|
50
|
50
|
96645
|
1765
|
15
|
126
|
-
|
-
|
71
|
|
1976-77
|
-
|
-
|
89290
|
1450
|
-
|
80
|
-
|
-
|
134
|
|
1977-78
|
-
|
-
|
91239
|
920
|
-
|
150
|
-
|
-
|
77
|
|
1978-79
|
-
|
-
|
87131
|
1718
|
90
|
43
|
-
|
-
|
71
|
|
1979-80
|
-
|
-
|
82460
|
6000
|
179
|
80
|
-
|
25
|
73
|
|
1980-81
|
-
|
-
|
75100
|
3500
|
100
|
700
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
1981-82
|
-
|
-
|
72600
|
500
|
100
|
1300
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
1982-83
|
-
|
-
|
79800
|
1600
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
1983-84
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1984-85
|
|
|
56522
|
1000
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
1985-86
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Source: BBS, 1982
After harvesting of T. Aman, rice, farmers in study area keep their land fallow for 3
months for preparation of shrimp ghers and stocking of shrimp fry in some of
the land. During the dry season, the soil found severely saline (>10 dSm-1).
At that time most the land found were used shrimp with the help saline water.
The extent of salinity comes down during monsoon (2-4 dSm-1) local
variety of T aman shows response to
application of fertilizer.
Since 1975 agriculture was the primary occupation
and estimated about 81 per cent of the study area operate crop cultivation (Table 5.11).
Table 5.11: Primary occupation of the respondent
of the sample households
|
Occupation
|
Primary
|
Secondary
|
||
|
|
Number
|
Percentage of Total
|
Number
|
Percentage of Total
|
|
Agriculture
|
296
|
17.09
|
168
|
34.93
|
|
Owner of Gher
|
178
|
10.28
|
184
|
38.25
|
|
NGO Worker
|
36
|
2.08
|
2
|
0.42
|
|
Go. Worker
|
58
|
3.35
|
5
|
1.04
|
|
Business
|
100
|
5.77
|
47
|
9.77
|
|
Van Puller
|
14
|
0.81
|
0
|
0.00
|
|
Motor Driver
|
1
|
0.06
|
0
|
0.00
|
|
Mecahanic
|
4
|
0.23
|
0
|
0.00
|
|
In. Worker
|
3
|
0.17
|
0
|
0.00
|
|
D.Labour(Non Ag.)
|
37
|
2.14
|
24
|
4.99
|
|
Share Cropper
|
2
|
0.12
|
3
|
0.62
|
|
D.Labour(Ag.)
|
30
|
1.73
|
31
|
6.44
|
|
Housewife
|
480
|
27.71
|
2
|
0.42
|
|
Vagabond
|
31
|
1.79
|
0
|
0.00
|
|
Student
|
436
|
25.17
|
0
|
0.00
|
|
Fisherman
|
14
|
0.81
|
8
|
1.66
|
|
Boatman
|
0
|
0.00
|
1
|
0.21
|
|
Barber
|
1
|
0.06
|
0
|
0.00
|
|
Blacksmith
|
0
|
0.00
|
1
|
0.21
|
|
Others
|
11
|
0.64
|
5
|
1.04
|
|
Total
|
1732
|
100.00
|
481
|
100.00
|
The cropping pattern was gradually changed
subsequently with introduction of high profitable brackish water shrimp
culture. In dry months (December to June) most of the agricultural land were
used shrimp cultivation with the help of saline water followed by a crop of
local variety of paddy (aman) in wet
months from July – December. Some of the agricultural land converted
permanently shrimp ghers with the advancement of shrimp cultivation. Thus,
during 1975 to 1985 the available paddy land was decreased 15 per cent
represent 66 per cent of the total study area. In 1999, about 17.8 per cent of
the total land have denoted for agricultural uses estimated 49 per cent lower
than that of land in 1985 (Table 5.1).
Size of
Agricultural Farms
Because
of the high density of population, traditional agricultural system and
institutional land reforms system, the farmland in the country and their
distribution is highly complicated (Alamgir, 1975). Pressure of population on
land resources in Bangladesh is evident from the fact that per capita net
cropped area is seen to have decreased from 0.17 ha in 1961 to 0.08 ha in 1988.
By the year 2000 per capita availability of net cropped area is likely to fall
to 0.06 ha (Aminul, 1995).
A clear pattern of land ownership emerges if the
farms are classified to their size (Asaduzzaman, 1975). It is studied that the
landless families were increased significantly with the inception of shrimp
farming. The percentage of total sample households on the basis agricultural
land consisting of <0.5 acres were increased 4 per cent during 1985-75 to 38
per cent during 199-85. While in 1999-75, it was found 42 per cent (Table 5.12). High concentration of land
ownership existed in the less than 2.5-acre category. The percentage of
households according the land operate by sub-marginal and marginal farmers
groups were decreased sharply accounted 5 per cent 20 per cent and 25 per cent
during 1985-75, 1999-85 and 1999-75 respectively.
Table 5.12: Agricultural Farm Size
|
Size
|
Percentage of Total Household
|
Percentage of Difference in
|
||||
|
|
1975
|
1985
|
1999
|
1985-75
|
1999-85
|
1999-75
|
|
<0.5
|
21.9
|
25.9
|
63.6
|
4.0
|
37.7
|
41.7
|
|
0.5-2.5
|
45.2
|
39.8
|
20.1
|
-5.3
|
-19.8
|
-25.1
|
|
2.51-7.5
|
23.5
|
25.9
|
13.4
|
2.4
|
-12.6
|
-10.2
|
|
7.51-16.00
|
7.8
|
7.0
|
1.9
|
-0.8
|
-5.1
|
-5.9
|
|
16.00+
|
1.6
|
1.3
|
1.1
|
-0.3
|
-0.3
|
-0.5
|
|
Total
|
100
|
100
|
100
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
Source: Field Survey, 1999
5.3.3 Shrimp Gher
Ghers culture
constitutes one of the important fishery resources in the study area. This is
an age-old traditional practice for shrimp cultivation some enclosures which is
locally known as gher. The practice
of natural stocking of the gher is
being progressively replaced by artificial stocking with the post larvae of
shrimp. This type of shrimp culture is termed as “Extensive Culture” has done
in an unmanaged manner in the study area. Thus, due to high profitable of
shrimp than paddy, most of the agricultural or other than the agricultural land
were converted into shrimp farms permanently and cultured throughout the year.
As can be seen from the Table 5.1,
most of the paddy lands have been changed to shrimp ghers accounted 70.1 per
cent during or before 1975 in the study area. In 1985 to 1999, the conversion
of paddy land into shrimp farms 85.2 per cent to 89.9 per cent. Table 5.13 the types of land uses
before shrimp cultivation in study area.
Table 5.13: Types of
Land Use before Shrimp Cultivation
|
Types of
|
Percentage
|
Differences of Percentages
|
||||
|
Land Use
|
1975
|
1985
|
1999
|
1985-75
|
1999-85
|
1999-75
|
|
Forest land
|
3.5
|
2.9
|
2.2
|
- 0.6
|
-0.7
|
-1.3
|
|
Paddy Land
|
70.1
|
85.2
|
89.9
|
15.1
|
4.7
|
19.8
|
|
Vegetables land
|
18.9
|
7.4
|
2.2
|
-11.5
|
-5.2
|
-16.7
|
|
Other Crops land
|
4.6
|
2.3
|
0.0
|
-2.3
|
- 2.3
|
- 4.6
|
|
Grazing Land
|
2.4
|
1.6
|
0.1
|
0.8
|
0.5
|
0.7
|
|
Swamp Area
|
0.0
|
0.0
|
1.1
|
0.0
|
1.1
|
1.1
|
|
Fish Culture Area
|
0.5
|
0.6
|
3.4
|
0.1
|
2.8
|
2.9
|
|
Total
|
100
|
100
|
100
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
Source: Field Survey, 1999
Vegetable land is the second
most important type of land use affected seriously due to shrimp cultivation.
In 1975, the vegetable land was found 18.9 percent of the total of the study
area, while in 1985 it was gone down to 7.4 per cent and in 1999, changed to
2.2 per cent. Like as the Chakaria Sundarbans, the forestland in the study area
also distracted significantly. About 3.5 per cent of the total area occupied by
the forest in 1975. After the inception of shrimp cultivation during 1975-1999,
about 1.3 per cent total land occupied by forestland has been changed to
shrimps farm.
Size
of Shrimp Ghers
Before 1975, there was no shrimp ghers conception
in the study area. A large number of pocket ghers (less than 0.5 acres) were
introduced during the period of 1985-75 and 1999-75 accounted 66 per cent and
70 per cent respectively. The land (less than 0.5 acres) operates by shrimp
farming followed by paddy cultivation constituted 36 per cent in 1985 and 41
per cent in 1999. The concentration of
shrimp farms has been found within the group of 0.5-2.5 and 2.5-7.5 categories.
The farm area more than 16 acres represents jotdars or large farmers operated the
2.9 per cent of the total land in 1985 while it is increased to 4 per cent of
total land in 1999. Table 5.14
describes the size of shrimp ghers according to the respondents of the
households.
Table 5.14: Size of Shrimp Ghers according to the
respondents of the Households
Size
|
Percentage of Total Household
|
Percentage of Difference in
|
||||
|
|
1975
|
1985
|
1999
|
1985-75
|
1999-85
|
1999-75
|
|
<0.5
|
0.0
|
66.2
|
70.0
|
66.2
|
3.8
|
70.0
|
|
0.5-2.5
|
66.7
|
16.2
|
11.6
|
-50.5
|
-4.6
|
-55.1
|
|
2.51-7.5
|
16.7
|
10.3
|
8.6
|
-6.4
|
-1.7
|
-8.1
|
|
7.51-16.00
|
16.7
|
4.4
|
5.9
|
-12.3
|
1.5
|
-10.7
|
|
16.00+
|
0.0
|
2.9
|
4.0
|
2.9
|
1.0
|
4.0
|
|
Total
|
100
|
100
|
100
|
|
|
|
Source:
Field Survey, 1999.
Shrimp cultivation was not significant during the
period 1975. At that time, small farmers having the land 0.5 to 7.5 acres
cultivated paddy and earned additional income of shrimp without any efforts for
getting preparation of shrimp cultivation. During 1985, when shrimp product got
high demand on international market, traditional shrimp cultivation convert
into improved extensive shrimp cultivation resulted majority of paddy land
transformed into shrimp farms and paddy cultivation turned into second crop. At
that time small and medium farmers participated significantly for shrimp
cultivation followed by paddy cultivation. Table
5.15 shows the size of exclusive shrimps farm and shrimp farms followed by
paddy cultivation.
Table
5.15: Size of Shrimp Ghers followed by paddy cultivation
|
Size
|
Percentage of Total Household
|
Percentage of Difference in
|
||||
|
|
1975
|
1985
|
1999
|
1985-75
|
1999-85
|
1999-75
|
|
<0.5
|
0.0
|
36.1
|
41.2
|
36.1
|
5.1
|
41.2
|
|
0.5-2.5
|
75.0
|
28.9
|
25.3
|
-46.1
|
-3.6
|
-49.7
|
|
2.51-7.5
|
25.0
|
27.8
|
22.0
|
2.8
|
-5.9
|
-3.0
|
|
7.51-16.00
|
0.0
|
5.2
|
7.9
|
5.2
|
2.8
|
7.9
|
|
16.00+
|
0.0
|
2.1
|
3.7
|
2.1
|
1.6
|
3.7
|
|
Total
|
100
|
100
|
100
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
Source:
Field Survey, 1999.
5.3.4 Road
Network
In this study, there was no
pucca road before 1975. Out of 45 miles metalled road from Khulna to Mongla
port, 13 miles road passes through Rampal upazila. Herringbone and
semi-metalled road constituted 61 miles networking with different growth
centers and mills factories. The katucha road and embankments surrounding
rivers and canals are used as non-metalled road, which are severely affected
due to intrude saline water to the agricultural land across the embankment.
Recently, some of this non-metalled road converted to semi-metalled for better
marketing facilities of the shrimp. Table
5.16 presents road mileage according to types of road in the Rampal
upazila.
Table 5.16: Road mileage
according to types of road in the Rampal upazila
|
Year
|
Types of road in miles
|
Total
|
||
|
|
Metalled
|
Semi-metalled
|
Non-metalled
|
|
|
1975
|
0
|
|
|
|
|
1985
|
13
|
61
|
325
|
399
|
|
1991
|
|
|
|
|
Source: Zila Statistics, 1988, Interpretation of
1975 Aerial Photograph and Field Survey 1999
5.3.5 Shops
There are different sizes of pocket shops
established for gear up the marketing facility of the shrimps immediately after
harvesting. Ice factories, cold storage and deheading and packaging industries
of shrimp are also established in the study area. Plate 5.1 shows the major shrimp processing factories and
industries in Rampal upazila.
5.3.6 Other
Land uses
Different water bodies (pond and canal), Kitchen
garden and fallow land uses are taken under this category comprising 13.29 per
cent of the total area since 1975. Table
5.17 shows the percentage of the other land uses were decreased after
inception of shrimp cultivation in the study area. Kitchen garden and fallow
land changed significantly. Since 1975, about 7.55 per cent of the total land
in the study occupied by kitchen garden. After more than a decayed (1975-99),
about 4.08 per cent of the kitchen garden were converted into shrimp ghers.
Table 5.17: Percentage changes
of water bodies, Kitchen Garden and Fallow Land during 1975–99
|
Year
|
Ponds
|
Canal
|
Kitchen Garden
|
Fellow Land
|
Total
|
|
1975
|
2.74
|
1.20
|
7.55
|
1.18
|
13.29
|
|
1985
|
2.49
|
1.06
|
5.89
|
0.85
|
10.29
|
|
1999
|
2.04
|
0.84
|
3.47
|
0.58
|
6.97
|
|
%
of Changes over 1975-85
|
-0.25
|
-0.14
|
-1.66
|
-0.33
|
-3.00
|
|
%
of Changes over 1975-99
|
-0.70
|
-0.36
|
-4.08
|
-0.6
|
-6.32
|
Source: Field Survey, 1999.
5.4 Man-Land
Relation
It
is evident from land use pattern of the study area, the man-land ratio is
playing significant role on inequality of social structure emerging
environmental crisis. In 1974, the population density was 414 persons per
square km; by 1991 it rose to 498 (BBS 1992). At present population density in
the study is found 663 indicates the increased pressure of population on land
than on previous census.
The
per capita distribution of land in the study area is 0.43 acre, which is very
close to national per capita distribution of land 0.42 acres. The per capita
distribution of agricultural land is only about 0.08 acre that is far below of
0.47 acres in 1975, while per capita cropped land & shrimp farmland
accounted 0.26 acres that was 0.01 acres in 1975. The per capita distribution
of the shrimp farmland was recorded 0.01 acres in 1975 and increased to 0.03
acres in 1999 (Table 5.18).
Table
5.18: Man-Land Relationship
|
Relationship
|
Land in acre
|
||
|
|
1975
|
1985
|
1999
|
|
Per capita total land
|
0.58
|
0.55
|
0.43
|
|
Per capita agricultural land
|
0.47
|
0.36
|
0.08
|
|
Per capita agricultural land
& shrimp farm land
|
0.01
|
0.08
|
0.26
|
|
Per capita shrimp farm land
|
0.01
|
0.02
|
0.03
|
|
Per capita settlement
|
0.07
|
0.06
|
0.05
|
Source: BBS, 1992, Upazila
Statistics Office, 1999 and Field survey, 1999
5.5 Land Tenure
The
intensive land use patterns in the study area are the expression of many sets
of temporal and spatial conditions which manifest themselves in different land
use activities such as agricultural implements, method of cultivation and land
tenure system (Islam, 1995). Over the years, the land tenure systems have led
to the concentration of land in relatively few hands. Much of the present
agricultural backwardness, problem of salinity exceeding the crop tolerant
limit, high potential areas for shrimp farming and social inequalities have
been attributed to land tenure system that developed in the coastal areas. The
study is highlighted the basic aspects of the land tenure structure as they
evolved through time after the inception of shrimp cultivation and to examined
the land reforms promulgated from 1975 to 1999.
5.5.1 Tenancy and
Tenure Arrangement of Agricultural land
Different
forms of tenancy are in operation in this region of which owner farming is
still the shows most significant. It accounts for more than 80.7 per cent of
total acreage in 1975. After the passing the time the form of owner tenancy is
gradually decreased. During the period 1975-85 the tenancy in the form of owner
farm cultivation was recorded 65.8 of the total agricultural land. It was
decreased to 54 per cent in 1985-99. Next is the sharecropping represented 11.5
per cent in 1975 and increased to 25.4 per cent during 1985-75. During the
period of 1999-85, owner farm cultivation was recorded to 35 per cent of the
total cultivated land. Table 5.19 can
be seen the form of tenancy of
agricultural land according to the percentage of respondent of the household.
Owner-cum tenants comprising 6.4 per cent in 1975, while in 1975-99 rose to 9.1
per cent of the total cultivated land emphasizing a change in the extent
of tenancy relationship over 1975 to 1999. No appreciable change took place of
agricultural land in the form of leased land, during 1975-1999. Sharecropping
took place substantially at an increasing rate, recorded 11.5 per cent to 35
per cent during the period 1975-99.
Table 5.19: Tenancy of Agricultural Land
|
Form of Tenancy
|
Percentage of the Respondents
|
Percentage of the Difference in
|
||||
|
|
1975
|
1985
|
1999
|
1985-75
|
1999-85
|
1999-75
|
|
Owner cultivation
|
80.7
|
65.8
|
54.0
|
-15.0
|
-11.8
|
-26.7
|
|
Owner-cum tenant
|
6.4
|
7.2
|
9.1
|
0.8
|
1.9
|
2.7
|
|
Lease
|
1.4
|
1.6
|
1.9
|
0.2
|
0.3
|
0.5
|
|
Sharecropping
|
11.5
|
25.4
|
35.0
|
13.9
|
9.6
|
23.5
|
|
Total
|
100
|
100
|
100
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
Source: Field Survey, 1999.
5.5.2 Tenancy and
Tenure Arrangement of Shrimp Farm
The
marginal landowner is becoming landless by the process of tenancy and tenure
arrangement of shrimp farm. The forms of tenancy of the shrimp farm in the
study can be seen in the Table 20.
Due to high initial cost involvement with the ghers construction and fry
collection, the marginal farmers could not use their land as a shrimp
cultivation resulting force to release their land to the rich farmer in the
form of lease system. Thus, owners of shrimp cultivation have been decreased
over the time and accounted 69.8 per cent to 57.4 per cent of the total land
under shrimp farms during 1975-99. Simultaneously, the percentage of the
owner-cum leaseholder increased 18.6 per cent to 25.9 per cent. The tenancy
belong to the lease system have been increased 5.4 per cent 13.5 per cent during 1975-99.
Table 5.20: Tenancy of Shrimp Ghers
|
Form of Tenancy
|
Percentage of the Respondents
|
Percentage of the Difference in
|
||||
|
|
1975
|
1985
|
1999
|
1985-75
|
1999-85
|
1999-75
|
|
Owner farm
|
69.8
|
61.4
|
57.4
|
- 8.4
|
- 4.0
|
-
12.4
|
|
Owner-cum tenant farm
|
18.6
|
19.3
|
25.9
|
0.7
|
6.7
|
7.3
|
|
Lease farm
|
5.4
|
9.6
|
13.5
|
4.2
|
3.9
|
8.1
|
|
Share farm
|
4.7
|
11.7
|
13.5
|
6.5
|
-13.1
|
-6.7
|
|
Total
|
100
|
100
|
100
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
Source: Field Survey, 1999.
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