Sundarbans case study Flashcards
Coasts (20 cards)
Describe the location of the Sundarbans.
The Sundarbans region is in south-west Bangladesh on the delta of the Ganges river.
Describe the topography of the Sundarbans.
The area is very flat and low-lying, making it very vunerable to flooding.
How much area does the Sundarbans cover?
10,277km
What opportunities does the Sundarbans bring?
1= Services
2= Economic growth
3= Development opportunities
What economic benefits does the Sundarbans bring to the region?
1= The flat, fertile land is ideal for growing crops such as rice.
2= Rich ecosystem provides locals with fish, crabs, honey etc.
3= Mangrove forests provide timber for construction, firewoof etc.
What services does the Sundarbans provide?
1= The mangroves act as a natural barrier to flooding and absorbs excess water during Monsoon season - making it easier to live and grow crops.
2= Mangroves protect the area against coastal erosion - the roots bind the soil together.
What development opportunities does the Sundarbans bring?
1= Tourism - visitors attracted to the wildlife.
2= Some chanells have been dredged to allow the passing of cargo ships.
3= A power plant has been proposed to provide energy to the region.
What risks does the development bring to the Sundarbans?
1= Lack of fresh water - bc it is diverted from rivers for irrigation upstream.
2= Mangrove deforestation due to pressure from agriculture.
3= Flooding can lead to salinisation.
4= Lack of employment opportunities.
5= Low-lying - at risk to flooding + rising sea levels.
6= Poor region - only 1/5 have electricity.
7= Poor infrastructure and road access .
What is resillience?
Resillience is being able to cope with the challenges which the environment presents.
What is mitigation?
Mitigation is reducing the severity of hazards and other risks to a population.
What is adaptation?
Adaptation is adjusting behaviour to fit an environment and it’s challenges.
What examples of resillience to risks have been shown in the Sundarbans?
1= Public Health Engineering Department is increasing access to clean water and sanitation.
2= Better roads and bridges being built to imrpove access.
3= Electricity is being extended.
4= Farming subsidies to provide jobs and increase food production.
5= Training of sustainable methods of fishing and farming by NGOs.
What potential issues are there with resillience strategies?
1= Expensive - often rely on funding by NGOs.
2= Can increase the threat of deforestation.
______km of _____________ were built to prevent _________. However, the _______________ are gradually being ________ and around ____km is vunerable to being _________ by ________.
3500km
embankments
flooding
embankments
roded
800km
breached
storms
What is the aim of coastal management projects in the Sundarbans?
They 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 clearence and it is unclar if the forests will withstand sea level rise.
What examples of mitigation has been shown in the Sundarbans?
There has been attempts to mitigate the impacts of extreme events - cyclone shelters, early warning systems - transport for evacuaton.
Tell me about the Sundarbans’ adaptation via salt-resistant rice.
Salt-resistance rice is being grown which can help locals to cope with flooding and sea level rise. But it reduces biodiversity and increases vunerability to pests and diseases.
Tell me about the Sundarbans’ adaptation via tourism.
Lodges have been built and tour operators run boat trips on the rivers. But, it must be managed so that it provides jobs and income instead of environmental damage.
Tell me about the Sundarbans’ adaptation to sea level change.
People have adapted to sea level rise by building houses on stilts - but, infrastructure such as roads cannot be protected so easilly.
Tell me about the Sundarbans’ adaptation to farming practices.
Sustainable adaptions - such as non-intensive farming practices and promoting ecotourism will help to ensure the fragile environment remains undamaged and usable for future generations. Also salt-resistant rice as mentioned elsewhere.
