Reading 1: Mangroves

Explain the importance of the Sandarbans

• The Sundarbans is the world’s largest mangrove forest (about 4,000 square miles) and serves as a natural barrier against tides and cyclones, absorbing storm surges and blunting storms

• It also provides livelihoods: honey, fish, and building materials

• Locals call it their “mother” because it protects, feeds, and employs them.

Give two reasons why more salt water is entering into the mangroves

1. Sea-level rise caused by climate change is flushing more salt water into the mangroves

2. Upstream dams in India have reduced freshwater flow into the Sundarbans, allowing saltwater to penetrate further inland.

 In the worst-case scenario, by how much would sea levels rise this century?

More than six feet

Why have some islands in the region completely disappeared?

• Without mangrove roots to stabilize the land, erosion eats away at islands

• With upstream dams trapping sediment, land isn’t replenished

• As a result, islands like Lohachahara, Suparibhanga, and Bedford have vanished

How has the situation impacted rice production in the region?

• Salty soils and water damage have reduced rice yields— in 2018, harvests were often well under a ton an acre

• Vegetables also failed to grow in many fields

  • This pushed up food prices and reduced farming income

Why have death tolls been decreasing even though population is increasing, and cyclones are strengthening?

• Governments have reduced illegal mangrove cutting by punishing offenders

• More cyclone shelters have been built

• Up to 150,000 volunteers are deployed before major storms

Explain why the future of the Sundarbans appears to be grim (4 reasons)

Pollution and development pressures: The Bangladeshi government approved a large coal-fired power plant at Rampal on the Sundarbans’ edge, which could open the door for other polluting industries.

Reduced freshwater supply: Proposed dams in the Brahmaputra basin (China) could further reduce freshwater flows to the mangroves, worsening salinity.

Climate change: Rising seas, stronger storms, erratic rainfall, and temperature swings keep intensifying.

Dependence on the Sundarbans: As locals say, “The Sundarbans built this country” — but the destruction of this forest could just as easily destroy it.