Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Degraded Coastal Wetland Ecosystems in the Ganges-Brahmaputra Rivers Delta Region of Bangladesh

  • Chapter
  • First Online:
Coastal Wetlands: Alteration and Remediation

Part of the book series: Coastal Research Library ((COASTALRL,volume 21))

Abstract

The Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna Rivers carry 6 million m3/s water and 2.4 billion tons of sediments annually into the Bay of Bengal, but it shows no tendency toward rapid seaward progradation. Bangladesh coastal region is gifted with vast natural resources, delta, tidal flat, mangrove forests, march, lagoon, bars, spilt, estuary and coastal ecological environment which is very much potential for communities survival. There are 36.8 million people are living within the coastal region and dependent on coastal water resources. The coastal water resources are drastically reducing due to unplanned use by the community and the stakeholders. The coastal zone of Bangladesh is enormously important for the development and management of natural resources. The coastal water resources are playing an important role to protect the coastal ecosystems and socio-economy. The present situation stated that an integrated natural resource management plan is necessary for the protection of coastal ecosystem and coastal community livelihoods. The paper prepared based on primary and secondary data sources. The objectives of this study are to analyze the present coastal natural resources management status. The study seeks the deltaic wetlands ecosystem development and management strategies for ensure communities livelihood and sustainable development of coastal resources in Ganges-Brahmaputra Rivers deltaic coastal floodplain region in Bangladesh.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 189.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 249.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 249.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

References

  • Adeel MM (2001) Effect of water resources from upstream water diversion in the Ganges Basin. J Environ Q 30(Environmental Issue):356–368

    Google Scholar 

  • Adeel Z, Pomeray R (2002) Assessment and management of mangrove ecosystems in developing countries. Trees 16(2–3):235–238

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ahmed I, Deaton BJ, Sarker R, Virani T (2008) Wetland ownership and management in a common property resource setting: a case study of Hakaluki Haor in Bangladesh. Ecol Econ 68(1–2):429–436

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Akter, J Islam SN and Gnauck A (2010) Water resources management in the coastal region of Bangladesh. In: Modelling and simulation of ecosystems. Workshop Kolpinsee 2009, Aachen, Shaker-Verlag, pp 167–185

    Google Scholar 

  • Anon (1995) Integrated resource management plan of the Sundarbans reserved forest Vol. 1. Draft final report of FAO/ UNDP project BGD/84/056- Integrated resource development of the Sundarbans resource forest, Khulna, Bangladesh, 385 pp

    Google Scholar 

  • Anwar J (1988) Geology of coastal area of Bangladesh and recommendation for resource development and management. In: National workshop on coastal area resource development and management, Part II. CARDMA, Dhaka, pp 36–56

    Google Scholar 

  • Begum K (1987) Tension over Farakka Barrage in South Asia – a techno political angel. University press, Dhaka

    Google Scholar 

  • Biksham G, Andrea FS (1996) What price prawn? Shrimp aquaculture’s impact in Asia. Environment 38(7):12–14.33

    Google Scholar 

  • Broadus JM (1993) Possible Impact of and adjustment to sea level rise: the cases of Bangladesh and Egypt. In: Warrick RA, Barrow EM, Wigley TML (eds) Climate and sea-level change; observations, projections and implication. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, pp 263–275

    Google Scholar 

  • CEGIS- Centre for Environmental and Geological Information services (2010) In: Slingerland K, Bons K, Driel WV (eds) Identification mission K2K, water Mondiaal delta alliance reconnaissance visit to Dhaka Bangladesh, mission report (Draft), 20–24 June 2010. Wageningen University and Research Centre, Wageningen, pp 1–22

    Google Scholar 

  • Chowdhury NT (2009) Water management in Bangladesh: an analytical review. Water policy uncorrected proof. IWA publishing, pp 1–20

    Google Scholar 

  • Chowdhury ZU, Haque A (1990) Permissible water withdrawal based upon prediction of salt-water intrusion in the Meghna delta. In: The hydrological basin for water resources management Proceedings of the Beijing symposium, October 1990, IAITS Publ. no. 197, pp 111–117

    Google Scholar 

  • Coleman JM (1969) Brahmaputra river: channel processes and sedimentation. Sediment Geol 3(2–3):129–238

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Costanza R (1992) Toward an operational definition of health. In: Costanza R, Norton B, Haskell BD (eds) Ecosystem health – new goals for environmental management. Inland Press, Washington, DC, pp 239–256

    Google Scholar 

  • Curray JR, Moore DG (1971) Growth of the Bengal deep sea and denudation in the Himalayas. Geol Soc Am Bull 82:563–572

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dasgupta P (2001) Human well-being and the natural environment. Oxford University press, Oxford

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Dutta AK, Iftekhar MS (2004) The species survival in the homestead forests of salt affected areas: a perception analysis for Bangladesh. J Biol Sci 4(3):309–313

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • EGIS – (Environmental Geographical Information Services) (1997) Morphological dynamics of the Brahmaputra-Jamuna River. Water Resources Planning Organization/Delft Hydraulicc, Dhaka

    Google Scholar 

  • EGIS – (Environmental and Geographical Information Services) (2000) Environmental baseline of Gorai River restoration project, EGIS-II. Bangladesh Water Development Board, Ministry of Water Resources, Government of Bangladesh, Delft

    Google Scholar 

  • ESCAP – (Economic and Social Commission of Asia and the Pacific) (1988) Coastal environment management plan for Bangladesh, Final: Report, vol 2. ESCAP, Bangkok

    Google Scholar 

  • FAP (Flood Action Plan) 24 (1996) River servey project- morphology of Gorai off-take: special report no.10, Dhaka. WARPO. FAP 4 (FPCO), 1993. Draft final report, vol 3: morphological studies. Ministry of irrigation, Bangladesh (unpublished)

    Google Scholar 

  • FAP – (Flood Action Plan) 4 (FPCO) (1999) Draft final report, vol 3: morphological studies. Ministry of Irrigation, Bangladesh (unpublished)

    Google Scholar 

  • Gleick P (1998) The world’s water. Island Press, Washington DC

    Google Scholar 

  • GOB – (Government of Bangladesh) (1999) National water policy, ministry of water resources. Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, Dhaka

    Google Scholar 

  • Goodbred SL, Kuehl SA (2000) Late quaternary evolution of the Ganges –Brahmaputra river delta: significance of high sediment discharge and tectonic process on margin sequence development. Sediment Geol 133:227–248

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Goodbred SL, Nicholls R (2004) Towards integrated assessment of the Ganges-Brahmaputra delta. Proceeding of the 5th International conference on Asian Marine Geology, and 1st Annual meeting of IGCP475 Delta and APN Mega-Delta, 13th February, 2004

    Google Scholar 

  • Gopal B, Wetzel G (1995) Limnology in developing countries, vol I. International Association for Limnology, New Delhi, pp 1–230

    Google Scholar 

  • Greensmith JT, Tucker EV (1986) Compaction and consolidation. In: van de Plassche O (ed) Sea-level research: a manuel for the collection and evaluation of data. Geo books, Norwich, pp 591–603

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Grigg NS (1996) Water resources management principles, regulation and cases. McGraw Hill, Washington, DC, pp 8–14

    Google Scholar 

  • Halcrow (1993) Southwest area water resources management project (FAP 4) morphological studies. FPCO, Dhaka

    Google Scholar 

  • Harvey LDD (2000) Climate and global environmental change. Pearson Education Ltd, Essex, pp 187–207

    Google Scholar 

  • Hasan S, Mulamoottil G (1994) Natural resource management in Bangladesh. Ambio 23(2):141–145

    Google Scholar 

  • Helmer R, Hespanhol I (eds) (1997) Water pollution control. A guide to the use of water quality management principles. E& FN SPON, London, pp 304–316

    Google Scholar 

  • Hidayati D (2000) Coastal management in ASEAN countries -the struggle to achieve sustainable coastal development. UN University Press, Tokyo, pp 1–74

    Google Scholar 

  • Hughes R, Ahmed S, Clayton BD (1994) Floodplains or flood plann? A review of approaches to water management in Bangladesh. IIED, London, pp 1–12

    Google Scholar 

  • IECO (1980) Southwest regional plan: supplement e: saline intrusion and tidal hydraulics; supplement f: environment and ecology (part I & II), supplement g: fishery (part I & II), Supplement h: forestry (part I&II), supplement i: navigation; supplement j: augmentation of the dry-season flows of the Ganges. Bangladesh Water Development Board, Dhaka

    Google Scholar 

  • Iftekhar MS (2006) Conservation and management of the Bangladesh coastal ecosystem: overview of an integrated approach. Nat Res Forum 30(2006):230–237

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • IPCC – (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) (2007) Summary for policymakers, In: Parry O F Canziani, Palutikot PJ, et al. (ed) Climate change 2007: impact adaptation and vulnerability. Contribution of working group II to the fourth assessment report of the IPCC ML, Cambridge university press, 1000 pp

    Google Scholar 

  • Islam MS (2001) Sea-level changes in Bangladesh: last ten thousand years. Asiatic Society of Bangladesh, Asiatic Civil Military Press, Dhaka, pp 1–185

    Google Scholar 

  • Islam SN (2014) Biosphere reserve, heritage identity and ecosystem services of Sundarbans transnational site between Bangladesh and India. In: The proceedings of the International conference “The to [World Heritage], BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg, 23–25 October 2014 organized by IAWHP-International Association of World Heritage Professionals e.v [online] (http://www.iawhp.com) No 1, pp 225–244

  • Islam SN (2016) Deltaic floodplains development and wetland ecosystems management in the Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna rivers delta in Bangladesh, Sustain Water Resour Manag Springer, 2(3): 237–256. 10.1007/s40899-016=0047-6

  • Islam SN, Gnauck A (2007a) Effects of salinity intrusion in mangrove wetlands ecosystems in the Sundarbans: an alternative approach for sustainable management. In: Okruszko T, Jerecka M, Kosinski K (eds) Wetlands: monitoring modelling and management. Taylor & Francis, Balkema, pp 315–322

    Google Scholar 

  • Islam SN, Gnauck A (2007b) Increased salinity in the Ganges delta and impacts on coastal environment in Bangladesh. In: Skvorsova LA (ed) Proceedings of the international scientific-practical conference logistics and economics of resource and energy- saving in industries (ISPC “LEREI -2-2007”) 12th September to 15th September 2007 at Saratov State Technical University, Russia, pp 244–248

    Google Scholar 

  • Islam SN, Gnauck A (2008) Mangrove wetland ecosystems in Ganges-Brahmaputra delta in Bangladesh Front Earth Sci China. Higer Education Press and Springer Verlag, 2(4):439–448

    Google Scholar 

  • Islam SN, Gnauck A (2009a) Threats to the Sundarbans mangrove wetland ecosystems from trans boundary water allocation in the Ganges basin: a preliminary problem analysis. Int J Ecol Econ Stat (IJEES). 13, W09; Winter 2009, J. Ecol. Econ. Stat; CESER, India. 64–78

    Google Scholar 

  • Islam SN, Gnauck A (2009b) The Coastal mangrove wetland ecosystems in the Ganges delta: a case study on the Sundarbans in Bangladesh. In Proceeding of American Association of Petroleum Geologist – AAPG Hedberg conference on variations in fluvial-deltaic and coastal reservoirs deposited in tropical environments, 29th April to 2nd May, 2009, Jakarta, pp 26–29

    Google Scholar 

  • Islam SN, Reinstädtler S, Gnauck A (2016) Coastal environmental degradation and ecosystem management in the Ganges deltaic region in Bangladesh. Int J Ecol Econ Stat 37(4):59–77

    Google Scholar 

  • Jabbar MA (1979) Land accretion in the coastal area of Bangladesh- Report of Bangladesh landsat programme, Dhaka, pp 43

    Google Scholar 

  • Jalal KF (1988) Towards a national strategy on coastal resources management in Bangladesh. In: National workshop on coastal area resource development and management, Part II. CARDMA, pp 67–78

    Google Scholar 

  • Joseph PS (2006) The environmental management the better supply of fresh water in transboundary river: the ganges could run dry. In: Perez JG (ed) Proceedings of III international symposium on transboundary waters management-overcoming water management boundaries. Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha. 30 May−2 June, Ciudad Real

    Google Scholar 

  • Kan F, Feoli E (1999) GIS technology and spatial analysis in coastal zone management. In: Belfiore S (ed) Education and training in integrated coastal area management: the Mediterranean prospect. Ocean change pub, Italy

    Google Scholar 

  • Khan AA (1993) Freshwater wetlands in Bangladesh: Opportunities and options. In: Nishat A, Hussain Z, Roy MK, Karim A (eds) Freshwater wetlands in Bangladesh issues and approaches for management. IUCN, Dhaka

    Google Scholar 

  • Khan SM, Haq E, Hug S, Rahman AA, Rashid SMA, Ahmed H (1994) Wetlands of Bangladesh. Holyday Printers, Dhaka, pp 1–88

    Google Scholar 

  • Khondokar RA (1987) Origin of elevated Barind-Madhupur areas, Bengal basin, result of neotechtonicalactivities Bangladesh. J Geol 6(2):1–9

    Google Scholar 

  • Miah MM (1989) Siltation and coastal zone management; Bangladesh country study, Report BIDS, Dhaka

    Google Scholar 

  • Miah MA (2001) Effect on water resources from upstream water diversion in the Ganges Basin. J Environ Qual 30(2):356–368

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Milliman JD, Broadus JM, Gable F (1989) Environmental and economic implication of rising sea level and subsiding deltas: the Nile and Bengal examples. Ambio 18(6):340–345

    Google Scholar 

  • Morgan JP, Mcentire WG (1959) Quarternary geology of the Bengal basin, East Pakistan and India. Bull Geol Soc Am 70:319–342

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • MoWR – (Ministry Of Water Resource) (2005) The national coastal zone policy. Ministry of water Resources, Dhaka

    Google Scholar 

  • Nair KS (2004) Wetlands management to meet the food and water cricis. In: Abstract book of 7th INTECOL, international conference on wetlands, 25–30 July 2004. Utrecht, The Netherlands, pp 1–217

    Google Scholar 

  • Nishat A (1988) Review of the present activities and state of art of the coastal areas of Bangladesh. In: National workshop on coastal area resource development and management, Part II. CARDMA, Dhaka. pp 23–35

    Google Scholar 

  • Nishat A, Huq SM, Barua I, Reza S, Ali AHM, Moniruzzaman KAS (2002) Bioecological zones of Bangladesh. IUCN – the World Conservation Union. Bangladesh Country Office, Dhaka

    Google Scholar 

  • Pramanik MAH (1983) Remote sensing applications to coastal morphological investigations in Bangladesh, unpublished PhD thesis, Dept. of Geography and Environment, Jahangirnagar University, Savar, Dhaka, 227 pp

    Google Scholar 

  • Rahman A (1988) Bangladesh coastal environment and management. In: National workshop on coastal area resource development and management, Part II. CARDMA, Dhaka, pp 1–22

    Google Scholar 

  • Rahman A (ed) (2003) The degraded sundarbans. In: Paribesh Patra (Bengali) development magazine, issue 3, 4 October December 2002 and January–March 2003. Unnayan Shamunnay, Dhaka, Ministry of Environment and Forest and UNDP. Dhaka, Bangladesh

    Google Scholar 

  • Sarkar SU (1993) Faunal diversity and their conservation in freshwater wetlands. In: Freshwater wetlands in Bangladesh: issues and approaches for management. IUCN, Gland, pp 1–364

    Google Scholar 

  • Sarker MH, Huque I, Alam M, Koudstaal R (2003) Rivers, chars and char dwellers of Bangladesh. Int J River Basin Manag 1(1):61–80

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • SRDI (Soil Resource Development Institute) (2000) Soil salinity in Bangladesh. Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh. Soil Resource Development Institute, Dhaka

    Google Scholar 

  • Tan CY, Yahya J, Rahim KA, Ghee LT, Meyer AS, Othman MSH, Sivalingam G (1997) Environment and development in a resource-rich economy: Malaysia under the new economic policy. USA: Harvard Institute for International Development. Cambridge

    Google Scholar 

  • Umitsu M (1993) Late quaternary sedimentary environments and landforms in the Ganges delta. Sed Geol 83(3–4):177–186

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Williams CA (1919) History of the rivers in the Gangetic Delta 1750–1918. Bengal secretariat Press. Calcutta. (Reprinted 1966, East Pakistan Inland Water Transport authority, Dhaka), 99 pp

    Google Scholar 

  • Wolanski E (2007) Estuarine ecohydrology. Elsevier, Amsterdam, p 157

    Google Scholar 

  • Wolanski E, Brinson MM, Cahon DR, Perillo ME (2009) Coastal wetlands: a synthesis. Coastal wetlands- an integrated ecosystem approach, Elsevier, New York, pp 1–62

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Geography, Development and Environmental Studies, University of Brunei Darussalam (UBD), Jalan Tungku Link, Gadong, BE 1410, Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei Darussalam

    Shafi Noor Islam

  2. Department of Environmental Planning, Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus-Senftenberg, Cottbus, Germany

    Sandra Reinstädtler

  3. Department of Ecosystems and Environmental Informatics, Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus-Senftenberg, P.O. Box 101344, D-03013, Cottbus, Germany

    Albrecht Gnauck

Authors
  1. Shafi Noor Islam
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Sandra Reinstädtler
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Albrecht Gnauck
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Shafi Noor Islam .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Coastal Education and Research Foundation (CERF), Fletcher, North Carolina, USA

    Charles W. Finkl

  2. Coastal Education and Research Foundation (CERF), Coconut Creek, Florida, USA

    Christopher Makowski

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2017 Springer International Publishing AG

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Islam, S.N., Reinstädtler, S., Gnauck, A. (2017). Degraded Coastal Wetland Ecosystems in the Ganges-Brahmaputra Rivers Delta Region of Bangladesh. In: Finkl, C., Makowski, C. (eds) Coastal Wetlands: Alteration and Remediation. Coastal Research Library, vol 21. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-56179-0_6

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation