Women 'Army' Saves Sundarbans From Tigers & Storms

In West Bengal, an initiative known as the 'Mangrove Army' sees hundreds of women actively conserving the Sundarbans, the world's largest mangrove delta. This group, comprising approximately 600 women, dedicates their efforts to planting mangrove saplings along riverbanks. Their work serves a dual purpose: fortifying villages against devastating cyclones and preserving the delicate mangrove ecosystem.

Significantly, around 120 women within this 'Mangrove Army' have tragically lost their husbands to tiger attacks. These women, alongside others, receive essential household supplies in exchange for their labor in planting over 1.3 million mangrove saplings since 2009. The initiative, founded by teacher Umashankar Mondal, has grown from 200 women to its current strength, earning recent praise from Prime Minister Narendra Modi for their resilience and commitment.

The women, aged between 25 and over 60, work in challenging conditions, wading through mud to plant saplings. While not receiving monetary wages, they are provided with vital supplies like rice, dal, cooking oil, and spices, along with other necessities. The Sundarbans, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, acts as a crucial natural barrier against storm surges for coastal settlements and provides a buffer for Kolkata, yet its mangrove cover remains vulnerable despite recent marginal increases.