Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna Delta, Bangladesh and India: A Transnational Mega-Delta

The Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna (GBM) Delta and its catchment area are shared between five countries which means that the delta is strongly influenced by neighbouring country’s water and sediment management decisions in addition to climatic, environmental and internal management. Delta administration is also shared between Bangladesh and India, including the unique Sundarbans mangrove forest. An overview of delta-building and socio-ecological processes from Holocene to Anthropocene are outlined providing a background for current issues. These include discussion on emerging opportunities and challenges, growth of settlements/land use, vulnerability mapping and options for adaptation including migration. Preliminary social vulnerability maps for the Joint GBM Delta are presented. These could facilitate the engagement of policymakers of all countries to create opportunities for co-learning to resolve delta level issues.