Mentawai Research Project

Conducted in Pagai Utara and Pagai Selatan, the research traces how communities rebuild and adapt after the 2010 tsunami and how their relationship with forests, coasts, and livelihoods continues to evolve.

The study examines:

• Post-disaster recovery and adaptation in coastal and forest villages.

• Traditional ecological knowledge as a foundation for resilience.

• Shifting livelihoods in response to changing ecosystems.

• Emerging patterns of migration to Padang—as younger generations seek safety, education, or economic opportunity.

Our broader goal is to understand how climate change, environmental shocks, and socio-economic shifts shape people’s decisions to stay, move, or redefine “home.” By situating the Pagai Islands within the larger regional context of West Sumatra, we hope to offer insights into how small island communities embody resilience in the face of uncertainty.

To be implemented in 2026.