In the heart of the Sunderbans, Rina Sarkar moves quickly through muddy waters to plant mangrove saplings. She is one of 150 local women participating in a green initiative, hoping to restore their environment. Tragically, Rina is a “tiger widow,” a term for women who have lost their husbands to tiger attacks in this natural paradise.
In 2022, Rina’s husband, Sudipto, went fishing and never returned. He fell victim to a tiger. Rina’s story reflects a larger issue in the Sunderbans, where thousands of “tiger widows” struggle with social ostracism, financial instability, and emotional trauma. Growing human-tiger conflicts, partly due to climate change, make their lives even harder.
Experts note that climate change is causing more tiger encounters. Rising sea levels and increased cyclones are threatening people and wildlife alike. According to a study, the Sunderbans have lost 210 square kilometers to rising waters since the 1960s. Local NGO Purbasha Eco Helpline Society (PEHS) highlights that many widows face dire circumstances without compensation. Because some fishermen enter the forest illegally, the government often denies their families aid. As a result, these women are left vulnerable to exploitation.
The stigma surrounding tiger widows can also be harsh. Many like Anima Mondal face isolation, branded as outcasts. Anima’s husband died two decades ago while crab fishing. This loss not only deprived her of companionship but also marked her as a “bad omen,” a label that ostracizes her from society.
Despite these challenges, PEHS has been active since 2009, planting over 1.1 million mangrove saplings. Mangroves act as natural barriers against extreme weather, protecting both people and wildlife. PEHS also supports widows by promoting sustainable income sources, like beekeeping.
Still, Rina and others stress the need for more help. Rina, despite receiving some food aid, struggles to provide for her children. “I just want to give them a better life,” she says, voice filled with determination.
According to an article in the Asian Journal of Arts, Humanities and Social Studies, about 40 people are attacked by tigers each year in the Sunderbans. This alarming statistic is projected to rise as climate change continues to reshape the landscape.
As experts warn, by 2070, no suitable tiger habitats may remain in the Sunderbans. The urgency for action cannot be overstated; the survival of both the community and the tigers hangs in the balance.
For further insights on climate change impacts, you can visit NASA’s climate change page.
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