The Sundarbans Flashcards
(6 cards)
General info?
- located in Bangladesh on delta of Ganges Brahmaputra and Meghna rivers on the Bay of Bengal
- part of the largest mangrove forest in the world so large parts are protected as national parks
- land is very flat and low lying, intersected by thousands of channels
- coastal system is naturally in dynamic equilibrium as material is deposited by rivers and eroded by the sea so the sediment store remains the same
Opportunities?
AGRICULTURE- fertile land of the delta is ideal for growing crops such as rice (up to $877 per hectare annually)
RESOURCES- rich ecosystem provides local population with fish, crabs and honey (fish revenue of $160,000 in 2014 and shrimp and crab revenue at $50,000 in 2014)
FLOOD DEFENCES- mangroves act as a flood barrier against the sea and absorbs wave energy/excess water during monsoon season which protects homes, people and agricultural land
EROSION DEFENCES- mangrove roots bind soil and dissipate wave energy so prevents coastal erosion
TOURISM- ecotourism generates $53 million annually in the sundarbans
TRADE AND TRANSPORT- cargo ships introduced in 2011, some channels dredged for easier access
A power plant has also been proposed north of the national park to provide energy for locals
Risks?
LACK OF FRESH WATER- lack of freshwater for drinking and irrigation as water is diverted upstream for farming
GROWING POPULATION- 4 million people put increased demand for resources so more deforestation occurs which increases flood risk
SALINISATION- caused by coastal flooding and damages crops as land becomes infertile
RISING SEA LEVELS- low lying land floods easily due to climate change (sea levels rising 3.9mm annually which is higher than global avg)
POOR REGION- only 1/5 of households have electricity so limited flood warnings
LIMITED ACCESS- few, poor quality roads limit development opportunities and make it more difficult for residents to receive goods, healthcare and education
Resilience?
- coping with the challenges presented by an environment
- public health department is increasing access to clean water and sanitation which improves health and QOL
- roads and bridges are being improved to increase access for residents and visitors (deforestation)
- mains electricity is being extended to more areas and villages are supplied with solar panels which creates employment and improves warning systems
- efforts to decrease poverty and increase food security by providing farming subsidies to increase food production can create jobs but overfarming can occur
- some NGOs provide farming training to prevent over exploitation
Mitigation?
- reducing the severity of hazards
- 3500km of embankments built to prevent flooding but due to erosion 800km are vulnerable to flooding
- coastal management projects aim to protect and replant mangroves but it’s hard to prevent illegal deforestation and the forest may not withstand sea level rise
- governments and NGOs have provided funding for cyclone shelters and early warning systems which should help people shelter and evacuate but a lack of public transport may delay evacuation
Adaptation?
- changing behaviour to better fit the environment
- in some areas salt resistant varieties of rice are grown to help cope with flooding and sea level rise, however relying in a small variety of crops reduces biodiversity and increases vulnerability to disease
- schemes to promote tourism increase job opportunities but if not properly managed can cause environmental damage
- houses built on stilts to withstand flooding and sea level rise, roads can’t be protected as easily
- ecotourism aims to promote safe sustainable practices
