ARCHIVES
VOL. 10, ISSUE 4 (2025)
Climate migration governance in South Asia: Evidence synthesis on policy gaps and institutional responses in India-Bangladesh context
Authors
Mukesh Kumar Yadav
Abstract
Displacement driven by climate-induced environmental changes in the
Sundarbans delta region connecting India and Bangladesh occurs against a
backdrop of fragmented institutional responses. This evidence synthesis
examines 87 peer-reviewed publications (2010-2025) to characterize governance
gaps, assess policy framework adequacy, and identify institutional
prerequisites for addressing climateinduced displacement. The review
demonstrates that while environmental pressures (sea-level rise, salinization,
flooding) are extensively documented in academic literature, corresponding
institutional frameworks remain inadequate. Three structural gaps emerge across
included studies: (1) absence of bilateral agreements specifically addressing
climate displacement between India and Bangladesh despite operational
cooperation on other transnational issues; (2) systematic implementation
failures in existing domestic frameworks designed for climate adaptation; (3)
institutional fragmentation across policy domains that prevents integrated
responses. Quantitative synthesis of intervention effectiveness reveals that
approaches integrating water management, livelihood diversification, and social
protection mechanisms generate substantially superior outcomes compared to
sector-specific policies. Examination of existing bilateral frameworks (Ganges
Treaty 1996) and regional mechanisms (SAARC structures) identifies
institutional features that function effectively under specific conditions
while revealing limitations when applied to climate migration challenges.
Analysis of 42 climate projection studies establishes consensus regarding
hydrological changes: dry-season water reductions of 28-40% are projected by
2050 under mainstream climate scenarios. These reductions exceed the adaptive
capacity of current institutional arrangements designed for historical
hydrological variability. The evidence synthesis identifies five institutional
prerequisites for governing climate-induced displacement: permanent bilateral
institutional mechanisms; adaptive management provisions accommodating
climate-driven variability; integration across water resource, disaster
management, and migration policy domains; international financing structures;
and explicit recognition of displacement as a development and humanitarian
challenge. Comparative analysis of transboundary governance models demonstrates
that successful frameworks combine technical expertise emphasis, periodic
adaptation mechanisms, and international facilitation. Policy recommendations
emerging from reviewed literature suggest that institutional innovation remains
technically and economically feasible, with governance failures reflecting
political choices rather than resource constraints or technical impossibility.
Download
Pages:76-80
How to cite this article:
Mukesh Kumar Yadav "Climate migration governance in South Asia: Evidence synthesis on policy gaps and institutional responses in India-Bangladesh context". International Journal of Advanced Research and Development, Vol 10, Issue 4, 2025, Pages 76-80
Download Author Certificate
Please enter the email address corresponding to this article submission to download your certificate.