TAG: GS 3: ECOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENT
THE CONTEXT: The Sundarbans, the world’s largest mangrove ecosystem, situated in the delta region of the Ganges-Brahmaputra River system, is facing severe threats from air pollution.
EXPLANATION:
- This unique habitat, which supports a rich diversity of flora and fauna including endangered species, is experiencing significant environmental stress due to pollutants.
- A recent study by researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur and Bose Institute, Kolkata, highlights the alarming impact of air pollution on the Sundarbans’ delicate ecosystem.
Highlights of the Study:
- The study identifies major sources of pollution impacting the Sundarbans.
- Pollutants, especially black carbon or soot particles are transported from the Kolkata metropolis and the broader Indo-Gangetic Plain (IGP) region.
- These pollutants are deteriorating air quality in the Sundarbans despite its sparse population.
- The unique geographical position of the Sundarbans, coupled with diverse weather patterns and socioeconomic factors, exacerbates the pollution problem.
- Air quality in the Sundarbans is influenced by a complex interplay of factors:
- Geographical Position: The delta region’s location makes it susceptible to pollutant transport from urban and industrial areas.
- Weather Patterns: Seasonal changes, particularly during winter, worsen air quality due to increased pollutant concentration.
- Socioeconomic Factors: Local emissions from nearby villages contribute to the pollution load, further complicating air quality management.
Impact on Mangrove Ecosystem
- The study published in Elsevier reveals that the oxidative stress due to PM 2.5 pollutants in the Sundarbans is as severe as in urban areas.
- Mangroves, which usually form antioxidants to reduce reactive oxygen species (ROS) and toxic stresses, are now facing prolonged deposition of heavy metals.
- This prolonged exposure affects their resistibility, leading to cellular damage.
- The research underscores the significant effect of transported and regionally emitted air pollutants on the Sundarbans’ ecology and biogeochemistry.
- The elevated levels of ROS can harm not only the mangroves but also aquatic animals by creating toxic conditions.
- The mangroves’ ability to mitigate oxidative stress is compromised, threatening the overall health of the ecosystem.
Climate Change Mitigation Role
- The Sundarbans mangrove ecosystem plays a crucial role in mitigating climate change by acting as a net absorber of greenhouse gases.
- Its capacity to sequester atmospheric carbon and other warming gases is even greater than that of the Amazon rainforest.
- This makes the Sundarbans a vital component in global climate regulation efforts.
- Sundarbans’ role in maintaining the delicate equilibrium between the mangroves and the Bay of Bengal is very important.
- This balance is essential for the ecosystem’s resilience, especially in providing natural protection against tsunami-like events and safeguarding nearby urban areas, including the Kolkata metropolis.
- Stress induced by air pollution disrupts this equilibrium, reducing the ecosystem’s ability to perform these protective functions.
Policy and Management Implications
- The findings of the study call for urgent attention to address the air pollution issues affecting the Sundarbans.
- Effective pollution control policies need to be formulated and implemented to protect this critical ecosystem.
- The complexity of the pollution sources and the region’s unique challenges make it imperative to adopt a comprehensive and integrated approach to air quality management.
- With 4.5 million inhabitants relying on the Sundarbans for their livelihood, preserving the air quality and overall health of the mangrove ecosystem is essential.
- Protecting the Sundarbans not only safeguards biodiversity but also ensures the well-being of the local human population.
Sundarbans:
- Sundarbans is a mangrove area in the delta formed by the confluence of the Ganges, Brahmaputra and Meghna Rivers in the Bay of Bengal.
- Spread across parts of India and Bangladesh, this forest is the largest mangrove forest in the world.
- It spans the area from the Baleswar River in Bangladesh’s division of Khulna to the Hooghly River in India’s state of West Bengal.
- It comprises closed and open mangrove forests, land used for agricultural purpose, mudflats and barren land, and is intersected by multiple tidal streams and channels.
- Sundarbans is home to the world’s largest area of mangrove forests.
- Four protected areas in the Sundarbans are enlisted as UNESCO World Heritage Sites, viz. Sundarbans West (Bangladesh), Sundarbans South (Bangladesh), Sundarbans East (Bangladesh) and Sundarbans National Park (India).
Sundarbans
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