Geography CP&L: Case Study - Sunderbans

Question 1

What is the location of the Sundarbans?

Answer 1

In the Bay of Bengal in South Western part of Bangladesh and smaller portion of India. Between the river Baleswar in the East, and the Harindanga in the East, adjoining to the Bay of Bengal

Question 2

What are the background and coastal processes?

Answer 2

Population:
- Size of 7.2 million people which is ever increasing. As a result, half of this ecoregion’s mangrove forests have been cut down to supply fuelwood and other natural resources.
- Increased by 354% in last 50 years

Topography:
- 0.9 - 2.11 metres above sea level
- 1 billion tonnes of sediment transported each year

Economic Development:
- LIC, 80% work in the primary sector

Question 3

Challenges in the Sundarbans

Physical Challenge: CYCLONES

Answer 3

A large-scale air mass characterized by rotating winds circulating around a low-pressure centre.
- Example: Sitrang (SCS^3) October 25, 2022 wind speed 80-90 km/h average, max wind speed 110km/h, Storm surge height 2.4m. Displaced 2.4 million people in India and 2.5 million Bangladesh
- Example: Cyclone Amphan, MAy 2020, destroyed 20% of the Indian Sundarbans, 3 million people affected $13 billion in damage.
- Last 40 years - 255 cyclones
- In the last 23 years, the Sundarbans has witnessed 13 super cyclones

Question 4

Challenges in the Sundarbans

Physical Challenge: DEFORESTATION FOR AGRICULTURE

Answer 4

Rates of deforestation:
- 1980 - 2000 - between 1-3% each year and a 25% decrease
- Current rate - 0.4% of the mangrove is destroyed each year = 3000 Ha

Agriculture: Shrimp farming
- 45 - 57,000 Ha is used for shrimp farming
- Account for 70% of agricultural exports in Bangladesh
- Shrimp industry is worth $300m per year

Question 5

Challenges in the Sundarbans

Physical Challenge: HIGH SALINITY OF THE SOILS

Answer 5

Mangrove trees are halophytes (salt tolerant) but if salt levels become too high the forests could be depleted. Mangrove trees are adapted to grow with their roots beneath sea water for part of the year. However, the salinity of the water has increased over time. This has happened because, the rivers that feed into the area have been managed to provide fresh water for the growing population of India and Bangladesh. For example, water has been diverted from the Ganges River into another river system by the Farakka Barrage. If the water becomes too salty this could threaten the mangrove trees.

Question 6

Opportunities in the Sundarbans:

FOOD AND DRINK - fish, shrimp, honey and cooking oil

Answer 6

Fishing:
- Provides a sustainable livelihood for many people. Fish, shrimp and other seafood are key food sources and can be sold locally or for export
Honey:
- The Sundarbans forests are home to various wild bee species, making honey collection a traditional livelihood.
- Bangladesh has been the primary extractor of honey, 2022 - 230 metric tonnes and in 2023 - 300 metric tonnes
- Honey farmers get paid $50 a day (however, this is seasonal, April to June)
Cooking OIl production:
- 1.4 million metric tonnes annually from Bangladesh
- The Sunderbans has resources for producing cooking oil from local plants and seeds #- Shrimp industry generates $300m, 70% of agricultural exports

Question 7

Opportunities in the Sundarbans:

ECOSYSTEM - Tigers and other species

Answer 7

• 40,000 - 50,000 tourists annually in India - Ecotourism
• Estimated Tiger estimate for the Sundarbans is 125
• Annual contribute to tourism is $53m
• 2024 - 220 triggers across the region (killing 50-100 people per year)
• 3 wildlife sanctuaries - 139,000 Ha area
• 334 different plant species / 260 birds species

Question 8

Opportunities in the Sundarbans:

WEALTH - Waterways for inland cargo ships

Answer 8

• Cargo traffic increased - 5.5 - 6 million tonnes of cargo annually
• 400 km network of waterways
• 102% increase in cargo over the last 8 years
• 944,000 metric tonnes transported between Bangladesh and India

Question 9

Opportunities in the Sundarbans:

COASTAL PROTECTION - rates of erosion, cyclones ect

Answer 9

Coastal Adaptation - 2001- 2009 - last 44 km^2 due to erosion, lost 24.5% of mangroves due to erosion and cyclones in last 3 decades
- Water resistant building material
- Salt resistant crops
Improved Infrastructure / communications:
- 3000 Cyclone shelters
- 3500 km of embankments to protect against flooding

Question 10

How have the people shown resilience in the Sundarbans?

PUBLIC HEALTH - Explanation

Answer 10

The Public Health Engineering Department is increasing access to clean water and sanitation. This will improve health and quality of life.

Question 11

How have the people shown resilience in the Sundarbans?

PUBLIC HEALTH - Stats

Answer 11

• Out of 1,503 children 75% have access to septic tanks and flush mechanisms.
• 28% of children don’t have access to proper toilets
• 50.7% of children under 5 are stunted - Indian Sundarbans
• The fever (31%) is the highest killer

Question 12

How have the people shown resilience in the Sundarbans?

BETTER INFRASTRUCTURE - Explanation

Answer 12

Better roads and bridges are being built in the region, importing access for residents and visitors. However, this can lead to deforestation and other environmental damage.

Question 13

How have the people shown resilience in the Sundarbans?

BETTER INFRASTRUCTURE - Stats

Answer 13

• Mukul et al 2020 a 6 km long bridge was built to increase connection
• 2012 - 2014 10 km of brick road was built to connect more rural areas
• Padma Bridge (2014) - accessibility

Question 14

How have the people shown resilience in the Sundarbans?

MAIN ELECTRICITY - Explanation

Answer 14

Mains electricity is being extended to more areas, and subsided solar panels are being made available in remote villages to allow them to generate their own power. This will make it easier for flood warnings to reach communities, and could create employment opportunities.

Question 15

How have the people shown resilience in the Sundarbans?

MAIN ELECTRICITY - Stats

Answer 15

• WWS set up 20 solar street lamps in areas outside of Tiger reserves for safety - 2011
• Sundarbans is going to be home to country’s largest off grid solar facility (250 KW) at Choramara Island

Question 16

How have the people shown resilience in the Sundarbans?

DECREASING FOOD SECURITY / POVERTY - Explanation

Answer 16

There are efforts to decrease poverty and increase food security in the region, for example by providing farming subsidies to increase food production and provide jobs. However, there is a risk that some areas of land may be farmed too intensely, causing environmental damage.

Question 17

How have the people shown resilience in the Sundarbans?

DECREASING FOOD SECURITY / POVERTY - Stats

Answer 17

• 50% of people live below the poverty line
• 50.7% of children under 5 are stunted - Indian Sundarbans
• 44% of households not getting 2 meals a day

Question 18

How have the people shown resilience in the Sundarbans?

NGOs - Explanation

Answer 18

Some NGOs offer training in sustainable methods of fishing and framing, to help prevent environmental damage from over exploitation or poor practices

Question 19

How have the people shown resilience in the Sundarbans?

NGOs - Stats

Answer 19

• Sundarban Foundation - uplifting communities in Sundarbans and vulnerable Tiger - victim groups
• The mangrove Alliance education, disaster management
• Sundarbans social Development Centre (SSDC)
• BEDs - 61,000 mangroves planted

Question 20

What mitigation strategies have been put in place in the Sundarbans?

EMBANKMENTS - Explanation

Answer 20

3500 km of embankments were built to prevent flooding. However, the embankments are gradually being eroded, around 800 km are ‘vulnerable’ to being breached during storms and tsunamis.

Question 21

What mitigation strategies have been put in place in the Sundarbans?

EMBANKMENTS - Stats

Answer 21

• Bamboo and sandbags to repair vulnerable sections by local
• Heavy rain and 140 km/pH winds damaged them

Question 22

What mitigation strategies have been put in place in the Sundarbans?

REPLANTING MANGROVES - Explanation

Answer 22

Coastal management projects aim to protect existing mangrove forests and replant areas that have been removed, to protect against flooding and erosion. However, it is difficult to prevent illegal forest clearance throughout the whole region, and it is unclear whether the mangroves will with withstand sea level rise.

Question 23

What mitigation strategies have been put in place in the Sundarbans?

REPLANTING MANGROVES - Stats

Answer 23

• After Cyclone Amphan 2020 - Indian government had a restoration project, planting 50 - 123 million trees / mangroves by March 2022 81 km^2 replanted on edges of forest.
• The canopy project will grow 100,000 saplings in 10 hectares of land on the coast

Question 24

What mitigation strategies have been put in place in the Sundarbans?

CYCLONE SHELTERS - Explanation

Answer 24

There are attempts to migrate the impacts of extreme events, e.g. cyclones. For example, the government and NGOs have been provided funding for Cyclone shelters and early warning systems, which should help people shelter or evacuate. However, many people may not have transport available to enable them to evacuate quickly.

Question 24

What mitigation strategies have been put in place in the Sundarbans? CYCLONE SHELTERS - Stats

Answer 24

- 50 have been constructed - housing between 500 - 2,000 people. - Can be built out of local materials such as Bamboo and mud.

Question 25

What mitigation strategies have been put in place in the Sundarbans? EARLY WARNING SYSTEMS - Explanation

Answer 25

There are attempts to migrate the impacts of extreme events, e.g. cyclones. For example, the government and NGOs have been provided funding for Cyclone shelters and early warning systems, which should help people shelter or evacuate. However, many people may not have transport available to enable them to evacuate quickly.

Question 25

What mitigation strategies have been put in place in the Sundarbans? EARLY WARNING SYSTEMS - Stats

Answer 25

- Information provided 12 hours prior to arrival - With mains electricity, warning is more available to communities. - Cyclones are tracked by satellite imagery and people are given warnings sent to their to their phones (they do have phones)

Question 25

What adaptation strategies have been put in place in the Sundarbans? SALT-TOLERANT CROPS - Stats

Answer 25

- 40 different salt-tolerant rice variety - 2018 = 119 ha cultivated with BRRI - 67 and in 2022 it was 5216 Ha - Potatoes, Waterloo, carrots (salt-tolerant) - helped over 5,000 farmers

Question 25

What adaptation strategies have been put in place in the Sundarbans? SALT-TOLERANT CROPS - Explanation

Answer 25

In some areas, salt-resistant varieties of rice and being grown - this could help residents cope with flooding and sea level rise. However, relying on a smaller range of crops can reduce biodiversity and may increase vulnerability to pests and diseases.

Question 26

What adaptation strategies have been put in place in the Sundarbans? TOURISM AND ECOTOURISM - Explanation

Answer 26

Projects are underway to increase tourism to the area, providing jobs and income. For example, lodges have have been built and tour operators run boat trips on the rivers. However, if not properly managed, tourism can cause environmental damage.

Question 26

What adaptation strategies have been put in place in the Sundarbans? TOURISM AND ECOTOURISM - Stats

Answer 26

- UNESCO World Heritage Site 1987 - Limited tourism due to challenge of accessibility - 2022-23 around 220,000 tourist of which just over 2143 were international - Creates 2 million jobs (direct and indirect) - travel and tourism

Question 27

What adaptation strategies have been put in place in the Sundarbans? HOUSING ADAPTATIONS - Explanation

Answer 27

People can adapt to sea level rise or flooding e.g. by building houses on stilts. However, Infrastructure such as roads cannot be protected as easily.

Question 28

What adaptation strategies have been put in place in the Sundarbans? HOUSING ADAPTATIONS - Stats

Answer 28

- Kalabogi Village - homes constructed on Bamboo stilts (flood protection) - replace every 2/3 years - 95% of homes constructed from traditional materials (mud, Bamboo) - 36% people using Cyclone - resistant measure - 33% people using flood resistant measures

Question 29

Challenge - INCREASED FREQUENCY AND INTENSITY OF FLOOD

Answer 29

Adaptation: Building and maintaining embankments, restoring and protecting mangrove forests, improving Cyclone shelters, and developing resilient Infrastructure

Question 30

Challenge - FLOOD WATERS REMAINING FOR LONGER

Answer 30

Providing water - resistant construction materials can help build resilience in flood - prone areas - Enhanced Natural Defense - Biodiversity Support - Climate Change Adaptation

Question 31

Challenge - PERMANENT EMBANKMENTS BUILT BY COMMERCIAL SHRIMPING INDUSTRY ARE ENCOURAGING THE DEPOSITION OF SILT, THUS RAISING WATER LEVELS

Answer 31

Using nature-based solutions like mangroves and living shorelines (using artificial Oyster reefs or terracotta rings to encourage silt entrapment and subsequent mangrove regeneration)

Question 32

Challenge: RISING TEMPERATURE CONTRIBUTE TO INCREASED SALINITY LEVELS IN THE SOIL

Answer 32

Salt - tolerant crops (varieties of rice and other crops allows residents to continue farming in areas affected by salinity) Sustainable farming, water management, livelihood diversification

Question 33

Challenge: INCREASED PESTICIDE AND FERTILISER USE IS AFFECTING WATER QUALITY (AND FLOODING)

Answer 33

High flusting rate (highly flushed ecosystem, meaning the water is constantly renewed through tides and River flows) Short food chain, Natural degradation and tolerance

Question 34

Challenge: CHANGES TO SEASONAL PATTERNS OF RAINFALL AND FREQUENCY OF CYCLONES

Answer 34

Relaunch the policy to built multi-purpose Cyclone shelters equipped with communication equipment and megaphones, which also serve as primary school facilities, however, many built in the 1970s have become neglected.