The Sundarbans

• Where is the Sundarbans?


  The Sundarbans is in Southwest Bangladesh and East India.
• What is the relief like?


  The Sundarbans is on flat and low-lying land, intersected by thousands of channels.
• What economic benefits does it have?


  Ideal for growing crops such as rice and the forests provide timber for construction.
• How does it prevent flooding and erosion?


  The mangroves act as a natural buffer that dissipates wave energy and reduces erosion. It also absorbs excess water during monsoon seasons.
• What can flooding lead to?

  Flooding can lead to salinisation of soil making it hard to grow crops.
• What is the main threat to the mangrove forests?


  The growing population of 4 million means that the is an increasing need for resources and land so the forests are being removed.
• What threat does global warming pose?


  Global warming increases seal level making floods more of a risk for the low-lying land.
• What have humans installed to prevent flooding?

  3500km of embankments.
• What have governments and NGOs funded for extreme events?


  Governments and NGOs have provided cyclone shelters and early warning systems.
• How do coastal management projects maintain the mangrove forests?


  Coastal management projects protect existing mangroves and replant, deprived areas.
• How have the population adapted to sea level rise?

  Built houses on stilts and grown salt-resistant crops.