Life and livelihood—these define the relentless struggle for survival faced by the marginalized people of the Sundarbans. The lifestyle and livelihoods of Sundarbans communities are vastly different from those living on the plains. Here, people constantly fight for survival—against crocodiles in the waters and tigers on land. The harsh terrain and poor connectivity put their lives under unique and continuous challenges. Almost every year, natural disasters strip them of their resources, forcing them to start life afresh. Compared to other districts of West Bengal, the coastal communities of the Sundarbans face greater uncertainty and economic decline.
Nearly 70–80% of the population here depends on agriculture, single-crop farming, forest resources, or fishing for survival. After the single cropping season ends, many are compelled to migrate to cities across India in search of work. The women of these marginalized families, left behind with their children, are forced to depend on the public ration system, somehow managing to survive on one meagre meal a day. These children, deprived of care and attention, fall behind in education. The mothers are reminded of the poet’s line—“At home, his beloved waits alone, sleepless through the night in adornment.” Poverty, deprivation, and neglect often push these children into child labour, early marriage, or even trafficking under the guise of work or temptation.
Due to a lack of alternative employment opportunities, these people repeatedly return to the forests and rivers to earn a living. In this battle, some survive, while others lose their lives to nature’s unforgiving forces.
Mukti—a socially conscious and community-driven NGO—has been tirelessly working for decades to improve the lives of the marginalized communities in the Sundarbans. From providing modern fishing equipment to introducing eco-friendly and organic farming techniques, Mukti has been striving to build sustainable livelihoods. By reducing dependence on forests, initiatives like crab farming, fish farming, and livestock rearing have been promoted to ensure income security. Yet, nature’s cruelty often shatters their hard-earned progress.
To achieve economic self-reliance, Mukti is leading several awareness-based initiatives for marginalized women. One of its remarkable efforts is the MCDF Project, which not only fosters financial independence but also addresses issues such as women’s empowerment, prevention of trafficking, early marriage, child rights, and education. Currently, with the support of the Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI), Mukti is implementing a large-scale project to engage 2,000 marginalized women in home-based industries and small businesses. This initiative is called Swavalamban Accelerator in Sundarban (SWAS). This year, 50 cooperative groups will be formed to bring these 2,000 women into mainstream economic activities. Already, many women have begun opening new horizons of livelihood through activities such as soft toy making, food processing, solar flower crafts, and imitation jewellery production.
Additionally, to prevent multinational corporations from degrading livestock quality and biodiversity with low-grade feed, Mukti’s project has taken steps to produce high-quality cattle and fish feed, establishing it as a viable business model.
To truly stabilize and uplift the cyclone-ravaged livelihood of the Sundarbans, more long-term plans are essential. Eco-friendly agriculture, the establishment of small-scale industries, and integrating marginalized people into these industries are crucial. Although the exploitative grip of moneylenders has loosened to some extent, these women still need greater financial support and structured plans for alternative employment. Mukti’s role in this work is commendable and deserving of gratitude from the people of the Sundarbans.
Let us all extend a helping hand to improve the lives and livelihoods of the Sundarbans’ marginalized communities. Let us create new ideas around the unique ecosystem of the Sundarbans—its water, forests, and people—so that, despite all adversities, they can once again see the light of a new dawn. By overcoming superstitions and all forms of barriers, they can step into a new life and sustainable livelihood.