Chapter 12: South Asia Environmental Geography

South Asia Reference

South Asia South Asia is a land of political tensions –Tensions between India and Pakistan Growing population –South Asia could soon surpass East Asia in population One of the poorest regions on Earth Not well-connected to the globalized world –Slow economic growth and inward orientation

Environmental Geography: Diverse Landscapes, from Tropical Islands to Mountain Rim Environmental Issues in South Asia 1984 explosion at Bhopal fertilizer plant –Natural Hazards in Bangladesh Flooding in the Ganges and Brahmaputra river deltas

Ganges Delta – largest

Dhaka flooding 2004

Environmental Issues Cyclones (hurricanes) – mostly Bangladesh –Delta at sea level –Clobbered by cyclones –60 since 1900 –1991 – “The Big One” – 140,000 dead 150 mph wind 20 ft. wave Factor in poverty cycle

Bangladesh cyclone

Bangladesh cyclone damage -1991

Bangladesh cyclone damage 1991 – rice paddies

Bangladesh cyclone damage 1991 –back flips off water buffalo

Bangladesh cyclone damage

Recent monsoons in India… Sept – 50 people died in monsoon related flooding…Sept – 50 people died in monsoon related flooding… September stmhttp://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/ stm

Environmental issues –Forests and Deforestation Historically, Ganges Valley and coastal plains of India deforested for agriculture Deforestation (agricultural, urban, and industrial expansion, RR) –Fuel wood shortage (dung)

Environmental Geography: Diverse Landscapes, from Tropical Islands to Mountain Rim (cont.) Environmental Issues in South Asia (cont.) –Forests and Deforestation (cont.) Chipko movement – started as a women’s protest movement against deforestation and now has spread throughout many Himalayan villages

Environmental Issues –Wildlife: Extinction and Protection Region has managed to maintain a diverse wildlife population –Increasing population pressure in wildlife habitats

Indian Tiger -200 people killed/injured in 5 year period

The Four Subregions of South Asia –1) Mountains of the North Collision of Indian Subcontinent with Eurasian landmass –200 million years ago –Himalayan Range and others –Still moving (plate tectonics) – 1 inch a year –Earthquake zone

Himalayas India, Nepal and Bhutan 1500 miles long “Home of the Gods” 24 peaks over 25,000 ft. Mt.Everest (29,028 ft.)

Everest

1953 –Nepal Sir Edmund Hillary & Tenzing Norgay climb Everest

South Asia Physical

The Four Subregions of South Asia (cont.) –2) Indus-Ganges-Brahmaputra Lowlands Large lowlands created by three major river systems –Indus – longest, 1800 miles- cultural hearth – Brahmaputra miles, delta mostly densely populated in world, fertile land, –Ganges – 1500 miles, transportation system, densely populated, –Holy river for Hindus

Ganges River

–3) Peninsular India Deccan Plateau –Makes up most of peninsular India Western Ghats, Eastern Ghats (6,000 ft, to 8,000 ft. high) –4) The Southern Islands Sri Lanka Maldives – chain of more than 1,200 islands, – 75% uninhabited –Only 116 square miles total –6 ft. highest elevation –Threatened by global warming

Deccan Plateau

South Asia’s Monsoon Climates Monsoon – the distinct seasonal change of wind direction, which corresponds with wet and dry periods –Three South Asian seasons: »Warm and rainy season from June to October »Cool and dry season November to February »Hot period from March to late May (120° F) Drier conditions in Pakistan Crops depend on Monsoon rains

South Asian Monsoon

Monsoon pictures