Bangladesh River Case Study

Question 1

What are the benefits of living near the Brahmaputra the river?

Answer 1

• The river delivers vital nutrients to agricultural fields and provides a source of irrigation.
• It acts as an efficient means of transport of people and material.
• Many people earn money as fishermen, boatmen or anything surrounding the economy the river creates.
• There is potential for hydro electricity, even though it hasn’t been fully developed.

Question 2

What are the problems of living near the Brahmaputra river?

Answer 2

• During the monsoon season, the areas around the river are flooded and eroded.
• Floods destroy the agro-economic base of the region and damage the banks of the river.
• Thousands of acres of cultivable land is lost, leaving the people without an income.
• The floods deposit tons of sand in agricultural land, making it infertile.
• Violent floods may damage housing and property, as well as cause deaths directly or indirectly.
• It facilitates the spread of waterborne diseases e.g. cholera.

Question 3

What are some areas affected by the flooding in Bangladesh?

Answer 3

• Dhaka: Jamalpur
• Khulna: Mahura
• Rajshahi: Rangpur
• Sylhet: Sherpur