Tiger Widows' Fight: Climate Change Fuels Sunderbans Conflict

In the Sunderbans, women known as 'tiger widows' face severe social ostracization and financial hardship. Their husbands, often fishing or collecting crabs, are frequently killed by Bengal tigers, a situation exacerbated by climate change's adverse effects.

Rising sea levels and frequent cyclones in the Sunderbans are shrinking landmass and submerging tiger habitats, leading animals to move into human-inhabited areas. This has intensified human-tiger conflicts, with an estimated 40 people targeted annually by tigers.

Many tiger widows are denied compensation for these wildlife-related fatalities, as their husbands often entered protected areas without permits. This leaves them vulnerable to exploitation.

Organizations like Purbasha Eco Helpline Society are planting mangrove saplings, crucial for protecting against cyclones and erosion, and for absorbing carbon. They also support tiger widows with aid and promote sustainable livelihoods.