The Sundarbans Flashcards
Where is the Sundarbans region located?
In southwest Bangladesh and east India on the delta of the Ganges, Brahmaputra and Meghna rivers on the Bay of Bengal
The Sundarbans is a part of the largest ………… forest in the world.
mangrove
The land is very ………… and ………… .
flat, low-lying
What is the Sundarbans region intersected by?
Thousands of channels, many containing small sandy or silty islands.
What is the region home to?
Rare species of plants and animals (e.g. orchids, Royal Bengal tigers)
In its natural state, the coastal system is in ………… ………… .
dynamic equilbrium
How many people live in the region?
4 million
What is the flat, fertile land of the river deltas useful for?
Growing crops, particularly rice
What does the rich ecosystem of the mangrove forest provide the population with?
Fish, crabs, honey and nipa palm leaves
What do the mangrove forests provide?
Timber for construction
What services do the regions supply?
- mangrove forest provides a natural defence against flooding - it acts as a barrier against rough seas and absorbs excess water in the monsoon seasons
- mangroves protect the area against coastal erosion - their roots bind the soil together
What are the development opportunities in the Sundarbans?
- opportunities for tourism - visitors are attracted by mangroves and wildlife
- since 2011, cargo ships transporting goods such as oil have been allowed to use the waterways
- a power plant has been proposed just north of the national park, providing energy for people in the region
What are the risks for occupation and development in the Sundarbans?
- lack of freshwater for drinking and irrigation for much of the area as water is diverted for irrigation further upstream
- growing population has lead to greater need for fuel and food so mangrove forests are being removed
- flooding can lead to salinisation
- Sundarbans is home to dangerous animals (e.g. tigers)
- lack of employment and income opporunities
- low-lying land is at risk from rising sea levels
- lack of communication - only 20% have access to electricity
- access is difficult there are few roads which makes it harder for residents to receive goods, healthcare and education
How are inhabitants of the Sundarbans resilient?
- Public Health Engineering Department is increasing the access to clean water and sanitation
- better roads and bridges are being built in the region, improving access for residents and visitors (although can lead to deforestation)
- mains electricity is being extended to more areas, and subsided solar panels are being made available in remote villages
- efforts to decrease poverty and increase food security (e.g. by farming subsidies)
- NGOs are offering training in sustainable development methods of fishing and farming
How do residents of the Sundarbans mitigate risk?
- 3500km of embankments were built to prevent flooding (although they are gradually being eroded)
- protecting and replanting mangrove forests (although it is difficult to manage illegal forest clearance and is unknown whether they will withstand sea level rise)
- attempts to mitigate impacts of extreme events (e.g. cyclones) by NGOs funding cyclone shelters and early warning systems (however there may not be adequate transport to allow for quick evacuation)
