The Sundarbans

Question 1

Where are the Sundarbans located?

Answer 1

Southwest Bangladesh and East India, on the delt of the Ganges, Brahmaputra and Meghna rivers in the Bay of Bengal

Question 2

How much area do the Sundarbans cover?

Answer 2

10,000 square kilometres.

Question 3

The Sundarbans is the largest ______ _____ in the world.

Answer 3

Mangrove forest.

Question 4

Which species of flora and fauna live in the Sundarbans?

Answer 4

Orchids, white-bellied sea eagles, Royal Bengal tigers, Irrawaddy dolphins.

Question 5

In it’s natural state, the Sundarbans’ coastal system is in ________ ________.

Answer 5

Dynamic equilibrium.

Question 6

What is the primary natural process shaping the coastal landscape of the Sundarbans?

Answer 6

Tidal action.

Question 7

The Sundarbans is home to a dense well-developed network of interconnecting river channels that flow across ____ and ____ deposits.

Answer 7

Clay and silt.

Question 8

The Sundarbans’ river channel washes sand out of the delay and deposits it on _____ at the river mouths.

Answer 8

Banks or chars.

Question 9

Which direction does the Sundarbans’ river channel flow?

Answer 9

Generally North to South.

Question 10

How wide are the Sundarbans’ river channels?

Answer 10

They can be more than 2 kilometres wide.

Question 11

After sand is deposited from the Sundarbans’ river channels, it is then blown into large ranges of sand dunes by strong _________ (direction) monsoon winds.

Answer 11

South-westerly.

Question 12

How many people is the Sundarbans region home to?

Answer 12

More than 4 million.

Question 13

The Sundarbans’ flat, fertile land is perfect for growing which crop?

Answer 13

Rice.

Question 14

The rich ecosystem of the Sundarbans’ mangrove forest provides the local population with which foods?

Answer 14

Fish, crabs and honey.

Question 15

The Sundarbans’ mangrove forest provides timber for _______, and ______

Answer 15

Firewood, construction

Question 16

How does the Sundarbans’ region protect against rough seas and coastal erosion?

Answer 16

The mangrove forest acts as a natural barrier against the rough seas, and it absorbs excess water in the monsoon season.
The plant roots bind the soil together and strengthening it against coastal erosion.

Question 17

What role does the Sundarbans region play in the global carbon cycle?

Answer 17

It provides local and global climate controls, acting as a major carbon sink (absorbs more carbon than it releases.)

Question 18

How much is one hectare of the Sundarbans’ mangrove forest worth?

Answer 18

Approximately $12,000.

Question 19

Which tourism opportunities do the Sundarbans offer?

Answer 19

Visitors are attracted to the mangroves and wildlife.

Question 20

What water-related challenge does the Sundarbans region face?

Answer 20

There’s a lack of fresh water for drinking and irrigation, as fresh water is diverted from the rivers for irrigation of agricultural land further upstream.

Question 21

Why are the Sundarbans’ mangrove forests at risk?

Answer 21

The growing population in the area has lead to an increase in the demand for fuel, agricultural land and areas for the development of infrastructure, so the mangrove forests are being removed increasing the risk of flooding and coastal erosion.