Sundarbans
Located in SW Bangladesh & SE India - Bay of Bengal - on delta of the Ganges
Flat + low-lying land – vulnerable to flooding
Coastal system in dynamic equilibrium: inputs = outputs
OPPORTUNITIES
Flat, fertile land of river deltas ideal for growing crops – rice in particular
Mangrove ecosystem provides local population with fish, crabs, honey
Mangrove forest provide timber for construction, firewood and furniture
Mangrove forest acts as a natural defence against flooding and erosion
Ecotourism exploited in mangrove forest – benefits local economy
Since 2011 oil + food have been imported by cargo ships through dredged
waterways
A power plant may possibly be constructed north of the national park – energy
source for people regionally
RISKS
Lack of clean water for drinking and irrigation in most of area – because fresh water
is diverted from the rivers for irrigation of agricultural land further upstream.
The growing population has led to a need for more fuel and more agricultural land,
hence mangrove forests being deforested – increased risk of flooding and erosion.
Flooding can lead to soil salinisation, hindering the ability to grow crops, negatively
affecting the local economy.
Poor access – few roads, existing ones are of poor quality – limits opportunities for
development – harder for residents to receive goods, healthcare and education.
Located in SW Bangladesh & SE India - Bay of Bengal - on delta of the Ganges
Flat + low-lying land – vulnerable to flooding
Coastal system in dynamic equilibrium: inputs = outputs
OPPORTUNITIES
Flat, fertile land of river deltas ideal for growing crops – rice in particular
Mangrove ecosystem provides local population with fish, crabs, honey
Mangrove forest provide timber for construction, firewood and furniture
Mangrove forest acts as a natural defence against flooding and erosion
Ecotourism exploited in mangrove forest – benefits local economy
Since 2011 oil + food have been imported by cargo ships through dredged
waterways
A power plant may possibly be constructed north of the national park – energy
source for people regionally
RISKS
Lack of clean water for drinking and irrigation in most of area – because fresh water
is diverted from the rivers for irrigation of agricultural land further upstream.
The growing population has led to a need for more fuel and more agricultural land,
hence mangrove forests being deforested – increased risk of flooding and erosion.
Flooding can lead to soil salinisation, hindering the ability to grow crops, negatively
affecting the local economy.
Poor access – few roads, existing ones are of poor quality – limits opportunities for
development – harder for residents to receive goods, healthcare and education.
