Akul Biswas started planting mangrove saplings along the banks of the Bidyadhari river in 2005. Locals took notice of his work and joined his mission. Today, Biswas and over 200 women have formed the Jharkhali Sabuj Bahini that works towards revival of mangroves in the Sundarbans.
Anil Mistry’s life changed the day he saw a dying doe in the Sundarbans. Once a poacher, he is now a conservationist who has saved 70 tigers and empowered locals with safer livelihoods.
Akul Biswas started planting mangrove saplings along the Bidyadhari river in 2005. Today, he leads Jharkhali Sabuj Bahini, with 200 women working to revive mangroves in the Sundarbans.
For almost two decades, dedicated efforts have been tackling the severe challenges of saltwater intrusion and poor hygiene, especially menstrual health, in the Sundarbans. But solving these issues isn't easy — especially in a region where every hard-earned rupee is vital for survival, making sustainable solutions even more urgent.
Padma Shri Dr Arunoday Mondal, a 70-year-old doctor, travels 160 km to Sundarbans every weekend to run his free clinic 'Sujan'. He has been treating over 12,000 patients every year for the past 23 years.
Inspired by his parents, Prasenjit Mandal overcame incredible odds to start the Sundarban Foundation, a non-profit which has become a lifeline for the people of Bali island in the Sundarbans.