Sundarbans Flashcards
Where are the Sundarbans located ?
South of India in Bangladesh.
Importance and challenges of agriculture ?
Contributes to $3.1 billion of Bangladeshes GDP, Rice and tea farming very popular, 3.5 million rely on the Sundarbans for their livelihood and to maintain themselves.
Due to its location its very susceptible to cyclones and storms, furthermore the flooding from this and high sea level rise has caused high salinity making it unusable for farming.
Primary natural process ?
Tidal action
What happens during ebb tides ?
Sediments like sand are washed out of the deltas and deposited on banks where strong south-westerly monsoon winds blow them into large ranges of sand dunes which then allows fine silt to wash into the bay to form new islands which can be inhabited endangered Bengal Tiger.
Natural challenges for the Sundarbans ?
Coastal flooding, cyclones, high levels of salinity in soil, instability of the islands, accessibility and remoteness.
Human challenges for the Sundarbans ?
Over-exploitation of coastal resources from vulnerable habitats, Destructive fishing techniques, Lack of environmental and economic awareness of the region, Conversion of wetlands to intensive agriculture and settlements, Deforestation
Mangrove protection FACT ?
30 trees per 0.01 hectares can reduce tsunami force by up to 90%.
Estimated value of one hectare of mangrove forest and why ?
$12,000 per hectare due to fertility of the soil providing a plentiful supply of a large range of nutritious foods.
Ways the Sundarbans mitigate to challenges ?
Significant investment in infrastructure due to it seeing constant storms, Traditional laws by NGOs and governments for legal protection, Communities can use open access natural resources like wetlands and fisheries forests and khas land.
Ways the Sundarbans adapt to challenges ?
Education to eco-friendly farming from NGOs, Build more cyclone shelters, Salt-tolerant rice varieties that can be survive being submerged, Raised buildings, Raised rice paddies
Fishing in the Sundarbans ?
Shrimp farming is the second greatest economic activity, 15000 fishermen in the Bay of Bengal, Water kept in shrimp farms change quality of soil and water, 3% of Bangladeshes national GDP.
