The Sundarbans, the world’s largest mangrove delta and home to 4.5 million people, faces a grave threat as rising seas and frequent cyclones erode its land, culture, and future. Researchers warn that without urgent action, vast parts of this fragile ecosystem could disappear, forcing millions into climate-driven displacement.
Women Left Behind in a Shrinking World
As men migrate to cities in search of work, women remain at the frontlines of survival. For many, including 32-year-old Amina, collecting prawn seeds in saline water is the only livelihood left. The work exposes them to skin diseases and reproductive health issues. A study by SaciWATERs found that nearly 77 per cent of women in the region suffer from water-related health problems, yet stigma keeps many silent.
The crisis also deepens child marriages and disrupts education. A joint study by Terre des Hommes and the West Bengal Commission for Protection of Child Rights recorded a sharp rise in underage marriages in climate-hit villages. UNICEF data shows 70 per cent of children miss school during floods, with dropout rates soaring to 27 per cent in the worst-affected areas.
Vanishing Islands and Rising Seas
Over the last 25 years, four islands in the Sundarbans have already disappeared, including Lohachara the first inhabited island in the world to be lost to climate change. Ghoramara has shrunk by half since the 1960s, while Mousuni Island continues to erode at alarming rates, with WWF India warning of major land loss by 2030. Even Sagar Island, the largest in the delta, has lost one-sixth of its area.
Satellite studies show the sea is rising here 8–12 mm annually, three to four times the global average. By the end of the century, a 45 cm sea-level rise could submerge three-quarters of the delta, displacing millions.
Culture, Faith and the Fight for Survival
Despite repeated disasters from Cyclone Amphan in 2020 to Cyclone Remal in 2024 residents hold on to cultural traditions, such as prayers to Bonbibi, the guardian spirit of the forests. These rituals reflect a deep connection with the land, even as each storm pushes families closer to displacement.
Experts stress that the Sundarbans are not only a cultural and ecological treasure but also Bengal’s first line of defence against storms. The mangroves absorb cyclone impacts, sequester carbon, and protect Kolkata and nearby cities from greater damage.
Urgent Call for Action
Environmentalists and researchers warn that sympathy alone will not save the Sundarbans. They call for immediate investment in embankments, clean drinking water, women’s healthcare, and climate-resilient livelihoods. Targeted adaptation funding from both national and international sources is seen as essential to prevent further losses.
Without decisive steps, Ghoramara, Mousuni, and Sagar may soon join the list of vanished islands, erasing not just land but also the history, culture, and futures of millions who call the Sundarbans home.