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

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.