Keepers of Mangroves
In Sundarbans, women whose husbands have died in tiger attacks are locally known as "Tiger Widows." They often face social stigma and exclusion from social and cultural participation. In the remote village of Dayapur in the Sundarbans, some Tiger widows are challenging the stigma through leading conservation efforts. They collect mangrove seeds, grow them in nurseries, and then plant them along riverbanks. They also care for properly growing trees and protect them from harm. In this process, they find solace as they still have a connection with their husbands through the trees, where they rest in peace in the lap of the forest.
“My name is Ekadashi Sardar, and my husband’s name is Jagatbondhu Sardar. My husband died in 2015 due to a tiger attack. For me and other women, the main reason for mangrove plantations is to protect the embankments and village roads. We started watching Arjun Mondal. This helps us to earn some money while protecting nature.” Bakul Kankra Tree / Rhizophora Apiculata (Name of the mangrove species Local/Scientific )
“Trees are our life. When my husband died during one of his ventures into the forest, I was completely bewildered. Then Arjun Mondal told me about trees. The Sundarbans is known for trees. We should preserve those trees. Arjun Mondal first helped us to plant trees and then we started to collect seeds and saplings. Disha Foundation is also helping us with this. We have tried to help others as well. Our greatest reward is that we have had partial success in protecting these trees. I am Geeta Mridha, my husband died on February 14, 2012, in the Palmari jungle in Sundarbans due to a tiger attack.” Sundari tree / Heritiera fomes (Name of the mangrove species Local/Scientific )
Geeta Mridha, who leads the group of tiger widows, stands on an embankment near her house, checking her phone as she arranges a meeting for the following day.
Geeta Mridha, Aparajita Mondal, and Ekadashi Sardar ride a boat to collect fruits of the Sundari tree from the river—the tree after which the Sundarbans is named. In the past two decades, the natural balance of new tree growth has been disrupted. These fruits once floated to island shores and grew naturally, but rising salinity has disturbed this process. The women’s role is revolutionary: they collect the fruits, nurture them in nurseries to protect them from salinity, and plant them along the banks where they would have naturally grown. This increases the survival rate of mangroves.
Heritiera fomes photographed alongside text telling the story of group leader Geeta Mridhas's husband, who died in a tiger attack.