Question

The load of the rivers such as Ganga-Brahmaputra, comprising sand, silt and gravels, is tremendous. This gets deposited in the deltas or the lower course of river over a long period forming river islands. These islands can be temporary or permanent because they may also disappear when the volume of river water or its speed increases. Majuli, Assam, in the Brahmaputra is a permanent riverine island which is rich in biodiversity.

Chars in Bangladesh are mostly islands formed in large deltas of the Ganga Brahmaputra system. Mostly these islands are not permanent as they last as long as the river is full of sediments and is slow. What do you think is the land use in chars?

Answer 1

Chars in Bangladesh, being mostly temporary river islands formed in the large deltas of the Ganga-Brahmaputra system, have land use that is adapted to their temporary nature and the conditions of sediment deposition. Since these chars are not permanent and are subject to disappearance when river flow increases or sediments are lost, the land use is generally focused on activities that do not require long-term settlement or permanent infrastructure.

Typically, land use in chars includes:

1. Agriculture: The fertile soils deposited by river sediments make chars suitable for seasonal cultivation, especially for crops that can be grown in a single season before the island potentially changes or disappears. Farmers utilize these lands for growing crops as long as the land lasts.
2. Grazing and Animal Husbandry: Due to the temporary nature of the land, chars are often used for grazing livestock, which can be moved as required.
3. Fisheries: Because chars are located in river systems, fishing is a natural livelihood for inhabitants.
4. Temporary Settlements: People may build temporary huts or settlements on chars, often related to cultivation or fishing activities. Permanent structures are generally avoided due to the risk of erosion and disappearance.

Therefore, the land use in chars is mostly small-scale agriculture, grazing, fishing, and temporary habitation aligned with the transient character of these river islands.