UNIT 8: SOUTH ASIAECONOMIC ACTIVITY

Economic ActivitiesThe majority of activities that take

place in this region are nomadic herding and subsistence agriculture.

Fishing in the waters of the Arabian Sea, Indian Ocean and Bay of Bengal is also an important source of income.

While there is not much, forestry, manufacturing and commercial farming are visible throughout the region.

Natural Resources: Fertile Soil and Water South Asia relies heavily on its soil and water

resources for agriculture and fishing. Large-scale irrigation projects diver the water to the

farmlands that need it. Many types of fish are found in abundance such as

the mackerel, sardines, carp and catfish. Waterways also provide transportation and power

from town to town; the Indus and the Ganges are the largest river systems in this area.

Natural Resources: Forests Timber and other forest

products are another important resource. Hardwoods such as sal and teak, along with bamboo and sandalwood are in abundance in the Indian rainforests. Pines, fir and other needle-leaf trees can be found in Bhutan and Nepal.

Deforestation is a severe problem as over-cutting has devastated many forests and caused soil erosion, flooding and even landslides.

India is the world’s leading exporter of iron ore which is used in it’s large steel industry. Most iron ore can be found on the Deccan Plateau. It also ranks #4 in the world in coal production. Uranium also provides fuel for nuclear energy in India. India also supplies most the world’s mica, used in electrical equipment and is the main reason India has a growing computer industry.

In Pakistan and Bangladesh there is an abundance of natural gas as well as in India.

Sri Lanka produces dozens of precious and semi-precious stones such as sapphires and rubies while India is known for its diamonds.

Natural Resources: Minerals

OTHER MAJOR RESOURCES

Important resources that have an impact on the economy of the region are: Aluminum Chromium Coal Copper Gemstones Graphite Iron ore Manganese Mica Natural gas Petroleum Titanium Uranium

CONTROLLING THE FENI RIVER

Because of large storm surges in the Bay of Bengal and overflowing of the Feni River, a dam was needed to prevent villages and fields from devastation flooding.

In 1980, a proposal to build a dam and close the Feni was proposed but with limited finances and technology, Bangladesh did not know it if could be done.

One key factor for completing the dam was the enormous work force of unskilled workers available for construction.

It took a year to complete and proved to be durable when a cyclone ripped into the dam and it held, keeping the lands and villages behind the dam safe. They now had the largest estuary in South Asia.

HUMANENVIRONMENTINTERACTIONBangladeshi workers carry hundred-pound bags of clay across theFeni River bottom at low tide. The bags were used in the constructionof the dam pictured on the next page.

REGIONAL ECONOMICS

INDIAPAKISTAN AND BANGLADESHNEPAL AND BHUTANSRI LANKA AND THE MALDIVES

It has one of the world’s largest economies but per capita income remains low. Half of the population lives in poverty.

Two-thirds of India’s people rely on farming; however, farms are very small and crop yields are low.

A program known as The Green Revolution, helped improve farming techniques and introduced higher-yielding grain varieties to improve production. These “Green Farmers” were able to dramatically increase the yield of wheat and rice. Peasant farmers did not share in this success.

INDIA: FARMING

Industry is also important in India. Cotton textiles, iron and steel, chemicals and machinery also dominate products made.

The western zone of India is the leading economic center; Mumbai is most prosperous city and commercial center. Bangalore has also become India’s high-tech center for computer software companies.

INDIA: INDUSTRY

Economies depend primarily on agriculture. Bangladesh is one of the poorest in the world.

Subsistence farmers struggle to feed their families for several reasons: Farmers refuse to modernize methods Climate hinders crop yield

Around the Indus Valley enough cotton and rice is grown for export and the wheat is used for consumption.

The main export is jute (fruit used to produce rope) and fishing is also vital.

PAKISTAN AND BANGLADESH: FARMING

Both countries have small industries but are growing in textiles. Both export cotton garments and wool and leather goods.

An important development has been the introduction of microcredit which has allowed entrepreneurs to start their own small businesses.

PAKISTAN AND BANGLADESH: INDUSTRY

Poor countries based on small scale farming due to rough terrain.

Common agriculture yield include rice, corn, potatoes, and wheat. Common livestock are cattle, sheep, and yaks.

The timber industry is also very important but deforestation is a problem as forests are disappearing. Their main trading partner is India.

NEPAL AND BHUTAN: LIMITED RESOURCES

Tourists come from all around the world to visit Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal or to climb the Himalayas. The tourist industry (hotels, restaurants, transportation) has boomed but with it has brought destruction of the environment with increased trash and pollution.

While tourism is also big in Bhutan, here it is regulated to help preserve the environment. Certain areas are closed off and only a certain amount of tourists are allowed in per year.

NEPAL AND BHUTAN: INCREASING TOURISM

Economy is based on rice farming. This area also has large areas dedicated to plantation farming for crops such as tea, rubber and coconuts for export. Sri Lanka is one of the world’s leading tea producers.

Sri Lanka is also famous for its gemstones such as sapphires, rubies and topaz.

SRI LANKA

Because of lack of land, most food has to be imported.

Fishing is important industry (tuna, marlin and sharks) but is being replaced by the importance of tourism.

Tourism was a booming economy because of its beautiful beaches, coral reefs and marine life.

However, with civil war came devastation in the tourism industry and economy. They are now struggling to rebuild their infrastructure.

MALDIVES

POPULATION EXPLOSION Widespread poverty and illiteracy have increased

significantly along with South Asia’s population boom.

Poor sanitation, lack of health care and disease have spread like wild fire.

Infant mortality rate is high at 75 per 1,000 live births so families try to have many children to help out economically.

The lack of government funding along with this overpopulation make educating the people almost impossible.

EXTREME WEATHER Summer and winter monsoons create a lot of

problems for South Asia: Crops are lost under floodwaters Homes and families are lost to weather

catastrophes and most are too poor to rebuild their lives and homes

Governments lack resources to provide aid

KASHMIR: PAKISTAN VS. INDIA How does the control of Kashmir affect

the economies of both Pakistan and India?

Do you think an agreement could be reached between the two countries? Why or why not?