The Sundarbans

Question 1

Where and in what conditions do mangroves typically grow in?

Answer 1

They can tolerate high levels of salt water and live in coastal intertidal zones, at around the 30° latitude.

Question 2

How can mangroves benefit the ecosystem they’re in?

Answer 2

They have a diverse ecosystem with a high level of NPP (net primary productivity). They act as nurseries for fish and invertebrates. Can act as a barrier to storm surges (up to 2m and 150km/hour winds)

Question 3

Which 3 rivers supply the Sundarbans?

Answer 3

The Ganges, Brahmaputra and Meghna.

Question 4

How much as the Sundarbans shrunk compared to 200 years ago?

Answer 4

~50% for agriculture

Question 5

What is the Sundarbans’ climate like?

Answer 5

Heavy rainfall and high humidity with 80% of the rain falling in the monsoon season.

Question 6

How many Bengal tigers does the Sundarbans support?

Answer 6

~350

Question 7

How does the Sundarbans support the human population?

Answer 7

Through timber, fuel wood, fish, shrimp, Nypa palm leaf for housing.

Question 8

Mangroves are great are sequestering carbon, how much can they store?

Answer 8

360 tonnes of carbon per hectare

Question 9

How has the Farraka barrage affected the mangroves?

Answer 9

Reduced fresh water flows from the rivers increasing salinity so mangroves growth is stinted and become dwarfed. So carbon stocks are decreased.

Question 10

What was the population of the Sundarbans in 2011?

Answer 10

4.44 million

Question 11

How will climate change and sea level rise affect the Sundarbans?

Answer 11

With 32cm SLR 84% of will flood and with an 88cm SLR the whole of the Sundarbans will be lost.

Question 12

What is the Farraka barrage?

Answer 12

Built on the Ganges 18km upstream to divert 1,100m3/s to into the Hooghly river to increase water supply in places of physical water scarcity.

Question 13

Why did was the Farraka barrage said to have failed?

Answer 13

Resulted in long term reduction in Ganges flow - environmental degradation. In 2009, 65% fishermen and 24% of boatmen lost their jobs.

Question 14

How many women have become widows due to the Bengal tigers and how has this affected them?

Answer 14

~350 women, and due to the patriarchal society women cannot own money or property so they are outcast or have to been taken in by a relative.

Question 15

What is the economic value of the Sundarbans?

Answer 15

$12,000 per hectare

Question 16

What is the Rampal Power Station?

Answer 16

It was proposed in 2013 and was given the green light by the Bangladeshi government.

Question 17

What are the negatives of the Rampal Power Station?

Answer 17

It needs to import 4.72 million tons of coal per year and would draw 219,600 m3 of water everyday. And a 40 km road would need to be built through the Sundarbans.

Question 18

What has the government and NGOs put in place to support local people in poverty?

Answer 18

They have provided small-scale ‘micro-loans’ to help locals improve their homes.

Question 19

How have grassroot NGOs helped local people to adapt?

Answer 19

Use salt tolerant varieties of rice to combat being submerged in water. USAID trained 30,000 people in how to employ more ecologically friendly farming methods to help mitigate against flooding.

Question 20

What is being done to support ecotourism in the Sundarbans?

Answer 20

Ecotourism development training for government officials, NGO representatives, and local private tour guides. Skills training for 200 community members. Building respect for cultural groups.