The tropical and subtropical regions of the earth are among the most densely populated and productive areas of the world. The Amazon basin in South America and the Ganga-Brahmaputra basin in India are two of the most important river basins in these regions. Life here is shaped by the great rivers, the dense forests, and the heavy rainfall of the tropical climate.
This chapter studies how human beings have adapted to and modified the environment of these two great basins. It compares the life of the people of the Amazon basin - the tropical rainforest region - with the life of the people of the Ganga-Brahmaputra basin - the subtropical region. In both regions, people depend heavily on the rivers, the forests, and the climate, and their ways of life are closely connected to the environment.
The tropical region lies near the equator, between the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn. This region receives the sun's rays almost vertically throughout the year, so the temperatures are high and the climate is hot and humid. The tropical region experiences heavy rainfall, and it is here that the great tropical rainforests of the world are found.
Because of the high temperature and heavy rainfall, the tropical region supports a dense and diverse growth of vegetation. The plants and animals of the tropical rainforests are among the most varied on earth. The human beings who live in these regions have adapted their ways of life to the dense forests and the heavy rainfall.
The Amazon basin is the largest river basin in the world. It is located in South America and is drained by the Amazon river and its tributaries. The basin extends across parts of Brazil, Peru, Colombia, Bolivia, Ecuador, Venezuela, and Guyana. The Amazon is the world's largest river by volume of water.
The climate of the Amazon basin is hot and wet throughout the year. The days are hot, and rain falls almost every day. Because of the heavy rainfall, the region has the largest rainforest in the world, and the vegetation is so dense that little sunlight reaches the ground. The Amazon forest is often called the "lungs of the world" because it produces a large amount of oxygen.
The people of the Amazon basin include both indigenous tribal groups and settlers. The indigenous people, such as the Yanomami and the Tupi-Guaranis, have lived in the forest for thousands of years, depending on hunting, fishing, and shifting cultivation. They use the plants of the forest for food, medicines, and building materials, and they have a deep knowledge of the forest.
The main settlements of the basin are along the banks of the Amazon river, which is the main highway for transport. The people of the basin use the river to travel and to carry their produce. Some people grow food crops like manioc, maize, and potatoes, and many depend on the rivers for fishing.
The Amazon river is the lifeline of the basin. It provides water for drinking and farming, fish for food, and a route for transport. Boats are the main means of transport in the basin, and the river and its tributaries connect the scattered settlements. The people of the basin use the river for trade, and the forest provides rubber, timber, and medicines.
However, the Amazon rainforest is under threat. The clearing of forests for agriculture and cattle ranching, the building of roads, and the exploitation of the forest's resources are destroying the rainforest. The loss of the Amazon forest would be a loss to the whole world, because of its role in producing oxygen and maintaining the climate.
The Ganga-Brahmaputra basin is one of the most fertile and densely populated regions of the world. It is located in the Indian subcontinent, and it is drained by the Ganga and the Brahmaputra rivers and their tributaries. The basin covers parts of northern India, including Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, and also parts of Nepal, Bangladesh, and Bhutan.
The climate of the basin is subtropical. The winters are cool and dry, the summers are hot, and the region receives heavy rainfall during the monsoon. The fertile plains of the basin, watered by the rivers and their tributaries, are among the most productive agricultural lands in the world.
Agriculture is the main occupation of the people of the Ganga-Brahmaputra basin. The main crops grown are paddy (rice), wheat, maize, sugarcane, and jute. Paddy is the main crop, grown during the monsoon season, while wheat is grown in the winter season. The river valleys provide irrigation, and the fertile alluvial soil produces abundant harvests.
Jute is a special crop of the Ganga-Brahmaputra delta, and the region produces most of the world's jute. The tea gardens of Assam and the northern parts of the basin are also famous, and India is one of the largest producers of tea in the world. In the delta region, the people also grow coconuts, betel nut, and rice.
The Ganga-Brahmaputra basin is very densely populated, and it is home to millions of people. The towns and cities of the basin, such as Allahabad, Varanasi, Patna, Kolkata, and Guwahati, are centres of trade, industry, and culture. The basin has a well-developed network of roads, railways, and river transport.
The river is also used for transport, and steamer services operate along the Ganga and Brahmaputra. The basin is famous for its cultural heritage, with cities like Varanasi, an ancient centre of learning and religion. In recent decades, the region has developed industries like tea processing, jute mills, and food processing, providing employment to the people.
The Ganga and Brahmaputra rivers meet in the delta region before flowing into the Bay of Bengal. The delta is a region of flat, fertile land, and it is the home of the Sundarbans, the largest delta and the largest mangrove forest in the world. The Sundarbans is famous for the Royal Bengal Tiger and for its rich variety of birds and animals.
The delta region is prone to cyclones and flooding, and the people have to face the dangers of floods and storms. Yet the fertile soil and the abundant water make the delta a productive region, and the mangrove forests protect the coast from erosion and storms.
The Amazon basin and the Ganga-Brahmaputra basin both depend on great rivers, but their environments are very different. The Amazon basin has a tropical, hot and wet climate and is sparsely populated, with life centred on the forest and the river. The Ganga-Brahmaputra basin has a subtropical climate with distinct seasons, and it is one of the most densely populated regions of the world, with agriculture as the main activity.
In both basins, the people have adapted their lives to the environment. The Amazonian people depend on the forest and the river, while the people of the Ganga-Brahmaputra basin depend on the fertile soil and the monsoon rains. Both basins are examples of how human beings interact with their environment, both adapting to it and modifying it.
| Feature | Amazon Basin | Ganga-Brahmaputra Basin |
|---|---|---|
| Location | South America | Indian subcontinent |
| Climate | Hot and wet all year | Subtropical with distinct seasons |
| Population | Sparse | Very dense |
| Main activity | Hunting, fishing, shifting cultivation | Agriculture (rice, wheat, jute) |
| Main transport | River (boats) | Roads, railways, river transport |
| Basin | Crops/Products |
|---|---|
| Amazon | Manioc, maize, potatoes, rubber, timber, fish |
| Ganga-Brahmaputra | Paddy, wheat, maize, sugarcane, jute, tea |
The tropical and subtropical regions of the earth show us how closely human life is tied to the environment. In the Amazon basin, the people live in harmony with the world's largest rainforest, depending on the river for transport and the forest for their needs. In the Ganga-Brahmaputra basin, the fertile plains and monsoon rains support one of the densest populations on earth through agriculture. Both regions are facing environmental challenges - the clearing of the Amazon forest and the floods and cyclones of the Ganga delta. Understanding these interactions helps us appreciate both the richness of these regions and the urgent need to protect them.