River Delta Case Study: Ganges Delta

Question 1

Why do people live there?

Answer 1

Monsoon climate means Ganges floods between July and October leaving behind a layer of fertile silt which is easy to work with
83% of world’s jute is cultivated there
2/3 of population work in agriculture
Fertile soils allow rice and tea to grow well
Fish ponds have increased fish production by 800% in recent years providing a good source of income
Vegetation that colonises the delta produces many useful natural resources
Sundarbans is the largest single area of mangrove forest in the world-wood for thatching, honey
Dry season-people collect sand for construction companies

Question 2

Risks of living there

Answer 2

Many wide rivers to cross so land transport is slow and difficult
Ship access is hard as many channels are blocked by sand and mud
Wet, warm environment is a breeding ground for disease
Risk of extreme flooding and death
Risk of arsenic poisoning as it is washed out from the underlying metamorphic rocks
Danger from animals in Sundarbans

Question 3

Location and population

Answer 3

Location: Bangladesh
Population: 450 million