The Ganges Delta arises from the confluence of the following rivers:
It is composed of a labyrinth of waterways, swamps, lakes and flood plain sediments (Chars). The Ganges delta is separated into two parts: the eastern (active), and the western (less active) part.
It is believed that upwards of 300 million people are supported by the Ganges Delta, and approximately 400 million people live in the Ganges River Basin, making it the most populous river basin in the world. Most of the Ganges Delta has a population density of more than 520 people per square mile (200 people per km²), making it one of the most densely populated regions on earth.
In recent years, scientists have been helping the poor people of the delta to improve fish farming methods. By turning unused ponds into viable fish farms, and improving methods of raising fish in existing ponds, many people can now earn a living raising and selling fish. Using new systems, fish production in existing ponds has increased 800%. Shrimp and salmon are farmed in containers or cages that are submerged in open water—most of these fish are exported.
Another cyclone hit the delta in 1991, killing about 138,000 people—see 1991 Bangladesh Cyclone.People have to be careful building on the river delta as severe flooding also occurs. In 1998, the Ganges flooded the delta, killing about 1,000 people and leaving more than 30 million people homeless. The Bangladesh government asked for $900 million to help feed the people of the region, as the entire rice crop was lost.
Animals in the delta include the endangered Bengal tiger, the Indian python, Clouded leopard, Asian elephant, and crocodiles, which live in the Sundarbans. Approximately 1,020 Bengal tigers are believed to inhabit the Sundarbans.
It is estimated that 30,000 spotted deer are in the Sundarbans part of the delta. Birds found in the delta include kingfishers, eagles, swamp partridges, woodpeckers, shaliks, and the doel (magpie robin). Two species of dolphins can be found in the delta: the Irrawaddy dolphin, and the Ganges River Dolphin. The Irrawaddy dolphin is not a true river dolphin, but enters the delta from the Bay of Bengal. The Ganges River Dolphin is a true river dolphin, but is extremely rare and considered endangered.
Trees found in the delta include sundari, garyan, bamboo, mangrove palm (Nypa fruticans), and mangrove date palm (Phoenix paludosa).
Important gas reserves have been discovered in the delta, which could play a major role in the future of the region, and hopefully help lift many of the poor people living in the delta out of poverty. Several major oil companies have invested in exploration of the Ganges delta region.
The Ganges Delta arises from the confluence of the following rivers:
It is composed of a labyrinth of waterways, swamps, lakes and flood plain sediments (Chars). The Ganges delta is separated into two parts: the eastern (active), and the western (less active) part.
It is believed that upwards of 300 million people are supported by the Ganges Delta, and approximately 400 million people live in the Ganges River Basin, making it the most populous river basin in the world. Most of the Ganges Delta has a population density of more than 520 people per square mile (200 people per km²), making it one of the most densely populated regions on earth.
In recent years, scientists have been helping the poor people of the delta to improve fish farming methods. By turning unused ponds into viable fish farms, and improving methods of raising fish in existing ponds, many people can now earn a living raising and selling fish. Using new systems, fish production in existing ponds has increased 800%. Shrimp and salmon are farmed in containers or cages that are submerged in open water—most of these fish are exported.
Another cyclone hit the delta in 1991, killing about 138,000 people—see 1991 Bangladesh Cyclone.People have to be careful building on the river delta as severe flooding also occurs. In 1998, the Ganges flooded the delta, killing about 1,000 people and leaving more than 30 million people homeless. The Bangladesh government asked for $900 million to help feed the people of the region, as the entire rice crop was lost.
Animals in the delta include the endangered Bengal tiger, the Indian python, Clouded leopard, Asian elephant, and crocodiles, which live in the Sundarbans. Approximately 1,020 Bengal tigers are believed to inhabit the Sundarbans.
It is estimated that 30,000 spotted deer are in the Sundarbans part of the delta. Birds found in the delta include kingfishers, eagles, swamp partridges, woodpeckers, shaliks, and the doel (magpie robin). Two species of dolphins can be found in the delta: the Irrawaddy dolphin, and the Ganges River Dolphin. The Irrawaddy dolphin is not a true river dolphin, but enters the delta from the Bay of Bengal. The Ganges River Dolphin is a true river dolphin, but is extremely rare and considered endangered.
Trees found in the delta include sundari, garyan, bamboo, mangrove palm (Nypa fruticans), and mangrove date palm (Phoenix paludosa).
Important gas reserves have been discovered in the delta, which could play a major role in the future of the region, and hopefully help lift many of the poor people living in the delta out of poverty. Several major oil companies have invested in exploration of the Ganges delta region.
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