In the vast Sundarbans region, between West Bengal in India and southern Bangladesh, lives a community of women nicknamed “swami khejos”, or “Husband Eaters”. The name comes from a local superstition, but the reality is tragic: their husbands have been killed by Bengal tigers, often during fishing excursions in mangrove canals.
A tragedy that becomes an opportunity
Many of these women have experienced social isolation and stigma related to the loss of their husbands, which prevents them from pursuing traditional occupations such as fishing and farming. Without government compensation, daily survival has become a challenge. However, these “tiger widows” have decided to transform their experience into a concrete commitment to the environment, collaborating with young environmentalists to restore the mangrove forests of the Sundarbans.
The conservation and restoration of mangroves
Mangroves are essential for the stability of coastal ecosystems, protecting against cyclones, controlling water salinity and providing habitat for fish, crustaceans and tigers. The project led by the I-Behind-the-Ink organization and Conservation International involves widows in planting over 100,000 trees along around 40 hectares of coastline, especially in the villages of Laskarpur and Vivekananda Palli. These areas, otherwise vulnerable to storms and rising seas, will benefit from the natural strengthening provided by mangrove roots.
Social and ecological impact
In addition to restoring tiger habitat, the project offers women a source of income – around 300 rupees a day – while improving access to food, medical care and safety for their children. As forests grow, fish populations will increase, reducing conflicts between humans and tigers. In this way, the protection of biodiversity and support for local communities are integrated into a single effort.
The project is part of a larger initiative, Mountains to Mangrove, aimed at restoring one million hectares across the Himalayas and Sundarbans. The goal is to create climate and social resilience, ensuring safety for communities and protection for endangered species. The women involved thus become protagonists of ecological and human regeneration, demonstrating that tragedy and conservation can converge in concrete and lasting actions.
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