Towards integrated assessment of the Ganges-Brahmaputra delta

Nicholls, R.J. and Goodbred Jr., S.L. (2005) Towards integrated assessment of the Ganges-Brahmaputra delta. In, Chen, Z., Saito, Y. and Goodbred Jr., S.L. (eds.) Mega-deltas of Asia: geological evolution and human impact. Beijing, China. China Ocean Press, pp. 168-181.

Abstract

Understanding the future evolution of the Ganges-Brahmaputra delta is fundamental to planning and management of this heavily-populated low-lying delta plain. Through the Holocene it was shaped by the interacting effects of sediment supply, sea level and marine reworking. Unlike traditional models, tectonics and climate have also played important roles in the delta’s evolution. Superimposed upon the active, but relatively unknown, natural system, human alterations to natural processes have become increasingly important, both (1) indirectly by changing land use and water management within the catchment, and (2) directly within the delta itself due to groundwater withdrawal, flood mitigation efforts, infrastructure development, etc. This human influence will intensify in the future as coastal and catchment populations grow, urbanise and develop their economies. Hence, the Ganges-Brahmaputra delta, like all deltas, is evolving in response to multiple drivers of change. To analyse future changes for management and planning purposes, this paper argues that an integrated assessment framework of the entire delta plain is required. This would take account of the interacting natural and human drivers of change within the delta plain, as well as the external drivers, such as global-mean sea-level rise. Hence it would emphasise the multiple factors and stresses that are influencing the delta evolution. Such a framework also allows the full range of management responses to be considered. In addition to traditional engineering approaches in deltas, there are opportunities to work with nature. The deltaic system has the capacity to be highly resilient in the face of these multiple pressures with important ecological and social benefits. This resilience is largely due to the delivery of sediment to the delta from the catchment.
A challenge for future management is to understand and use this capacity to the maximum, including consideration of possible catchment changes such as dam construction. A similar approach could be developed for the management and planning of the other big and small delta systems in Asia.

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Contributors

Author: R.J. Nicholls

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