Sundarbans Flashcards
Where is the sundarbans
The sundarbans is a coastal zone occupying the worlds largest delta, that extends over 10,000 km2 of southern Bangladesh and India on the Bay of Bengal
What forest is most prominent
Mangrove
Topography and land shape
The land is very flat and low lying. It is intersected by thousands of channels, many containing small sandy or silty islands
How many people live in this region
4 million
Economic benefits of living in this region
-the flat, fertile land is ideal for growing crops like rice
-fish, crabs, honey and Nipa palm leaves for roofing
-timber
Services provided by the sundarbans
- the mangrove forest provides a natural defence against flooding - it acts as a barrier against rough seas and absorbs excess water
- protects the area against erosion
Risks of living in sundarbans
-lack of fresh water
-growing population so need more land, deforestation of mangrove so more erosion and flooding
-salinisation
-global warming and rising sea levels
A density of — trees per — hectares can reduce the destructive force of a tsunami by — %
30 trees per 0.01 hectares. 90%
What do NGOS do
Grassroots NGOs run education programmes to encourage farmers to return to more traditional ecologically friendly methods of farming and provide community level preparation for natural disasters
How many shelters did the government build between 2011 and 2015
100, 750 proposed in 2019
Where is the Sundarbans region located?
The Sundarbans region is in southwest Bangladesh and east India, on the delta of the Ganges, Brahmaputra, and Meghna rivers on the Bay of Bengal.
What type of forest is found in the Sundarbans?
The Sundarbans is home to the largest mangrove forest in the world, which is a type of forest found in tropical areas.
What are some rare species found in the Sundarbans?
The Sundarbans is home to rare species including orchids, white-bellied sea eagles, Royal Bengal tigers, and Irawadi dolphins.
What does resilience mean in the context of the Sundarbans?
Resilience means being able to cope with the challenges the environment presents.
What are some efforts to increase resilience in the Sundarbans?
Efforts include increasing access to clean water and sanitation, building better roads and bridges, extending mains electricity, and providing farming subsidies.
What is mitigation in the context of environmental hazards?
Mitigation means reducing the severity of hazards or other problems.
What are some examples of mitigation efforts in the Sundarbans?
Examples include building 3500 km of embankments to prevent flooding and providing cyclone shelters and early warning systems.
What does adaptation mean in the context of the Sundarbans?
Adaptation means adjusting behavior to fit the environment.
What are some adaptation strategies being used in the Sundarbans?
Adaptation strategies include growing salt-resistant rice and building houses on stilts.
What opportunities does the Sundarbans region provide?
The Sundarbans provides natural products for economic benefits, fertile land for crops, and opportunities for tourism.
What are some risks associated with living in the Sundarbans?
Risks include lack of fresh water, flooding, salinisation of soil, dangerous animals, and limited employment opportunities.
How does the growing population affect the Sundarbans?
The growing population increases the need for fuel and agricultural land, leading to the removal of mangrove forests and increased flood risk.
What is a significant environmental challenge faced by the Sundarbans?
The low-lying land is at risk from rising sea levels due to global warming.
