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. 2011 – 50 people died in monsoon related flooding…
• September 2005 - • http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/south_asia/4727
763.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 –NepalSir 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 -1700 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
Monsoon pictures
Monsoon pictures
Monsoon pictures
Monsoon pictures
