{"id":1793,"date":"2025-04-30T15:28:00","date_gmt":"2025-04-30T15:28:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.cata-earth.com\/?p=1793"},"modified":"2025-06-27T04:55:55","modified_gmt":"2025-06-27T04:55:55","slug":"nstu-organizes-focus-group-discussions-apr-25","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.cata-earth.com\/id\/nstu-organizes-focus-group-discussions-apr-25\/","title":{"rendered":"NSTU Organizes Focus Group Discussions to Uncover Coastal Community Challenges in Hatiya"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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HATIYA, NOAKHALI<\/a>, BD<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022<\/p>\n\n\n\n

30 APRIL 2025<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u2022<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

As part of the ongoing CATA Earth project, the Noakhali Science and Technology University (NSTU) team recently conducted a series of Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) in Hatiya upazila, aiming to better understand the multifaceted challenges faced by coastal communities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

On April 23, 2025, two FGDs were held\u2014one in Tankir Samaj, and another combining participants from Foraji, Shariatpur, and Centerer Samaj villages. Nearly 50 participants, including farmers, local leaders, women, youth, health workers, teachers, and students, took part in these vibrant discussions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Salinity is ruining our fields and threatening our food security.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

– Local Farmer<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

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Women\u2019s health is at greater risk due to lack of clean water and proper facilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

– One Local Participant<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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The sessions delved into pressing issues such as physical, reproductive, and mental health, environmental concerns, climate change, disaster risks, agricultural challenges, and the unique adversities of coastal living. Salinity intrusion, tidal inundation, and access to safe drinking water emerged as dominant themes. Participants highlighted the severe impact of saline water on crop lands and the heightened health risks for women. \u201cSalinity is ruining our fields and threatening our food security”, lamented one local farmer, while another participant emphasized, \u201cWomen\u2019s health is at greater risk due to lack of clean water and proper facilities.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n

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