The Sundarbans, a vast and fragile mangrove delta where the Brahmaputra, Padma, and Meghna rivers converge, is home to one of the most climate-vulnerable communities in the world. In India, Sundarbans is part of the Gangetic delta and is located in the coastal districts of South 24-Parganas and part of North 24-Parganas in the state of West Bengal. While cyclones, soil erosion, and rising salinity constantly disrupt lives and livelihoods, the people of the Sundarbans are the force of resilience. Amidst a cycle of devastation and recovery, they persist, adapt, rebuild, and embrace nature-based solutions to secure their future.
The Sundarbans has long been a place of both survival and struggle. For generations, villagers have depended on fishing, farming, and honey collection—practices that have become increasingly precarious due to the changing climate. Mangroves and wetlands are the Sundarbans’ first line of defense against climate disasters. Their roots hold sediments in place, preventing soil erosion, while their canopies absorb the impact of powerful storm surges. Soil erosion threatens the community’s way of life. To counter this, the non-profit Sustainable Environment and Ecological Development Society (SEEDS)[1] introduced vetiver grass plantations along stream banks and water bodies.
Vetiver, a robust grass with deep, fibrous roots, is a powerful natural tool for combating soil erosion. Its extensive root system binds soil particles, while its hedges slow water runoff, trapping sediment and gradually forming stabilising terraces. When combined with bamboo, which reinforces vetiver hedges, the erosion control is further enhanced. Bamboo physically blocks and slows water flow, allowing sediment to settle, and its roots also contribute to soil stabilisation. This synergistic approach, using vetiver’s root strength and bamboo’s physical support, effectively minimises soil loss in vulnerable areas.
SEEDS is a not-for-profit organisation that works to build resilient communities in India and Nepal that focus on disaster preparedness, response, and rehabilitation. It has, in collaboration with NVIDIA, has been at the forefront of restoring these natural barriers. The writer works with SEEDS.
People of Sundarbans embrace vetiver for land protection
Among the many residents involved in this streambank protection project is Supriya Kayal (39), a resident of Heramba Gopalpur, who has spent her entire life watching her homeland battle nature’s wrath. “Every year, because of the devastation done by the cyclones, we are compelled to take shelter at relief centres. It cripples our livelihood generation process.” She knows this pain intimately, having lost her father—who was a farmer and a honey collector—to a tiger attack deep in the forest. Left with little means to continue her education, she was forced to drop out of school to support her family.
Supriya became an active participant, helping bind bamboo coir logs and vetiver grass while motivating others to join. Her efforts helped villagers understand the importance of protecting the streambanks from erosion and damage. Thanks to her determination, the villagers soon understood the importance of protecting the streambank, pledging to safeguard the vetiver cultivation areas from domestic animals and human activity.
Gouri Jana (48), another local resident of Heramba Gopalpur village, recalls the devastation caused by Cyclone Amphan. She says, “Because of the cyclone, river water entered my village and spoiled the agricultural lands and fisheries. It destroyed the muddy houses, and many people were homeless and starving for food and medicine. Snake bites took a toll on five villagers.”
Despite these hardships, Gouri held onto her traditional knowledge of the Sundarbans’ biodiversity and knew that stream bank protection would be crucial for long-term survival. She convinced her locality and Panchayat to assist in the initiative, joining the SEEDS team to plant vetiver grass and ensure its success. She assured her neighbours, “This green cover will protect the streambank from future natural disasters.” While nature has long been a formidable adversary for the people of the Sundarbans, it is also their greatest ally. By harnessing nature-based solutions, the community has not only adapted to climate challenges but has also taken charge of its future.
Subhaprakash Midde, a resident of Digambarpur village in PatharPratima block, believes these interventions are a game-changer. “Vetiver roots can reach 3 to 4 metres in the first year, and they are highly tolerant to hostile conditions. This is a low-cost, natural-based solution for environmental protection.” Cyclone Aila in 2009 destroyed the village embankment, flooding the land and preventing agriculture due to salinity. A subsequent fishery, their last hope, was also destroyed by another storm.
Subhaprakash became a key part of SEEDS’ vetiver project, recognising its low-cost, natural approach to environmental protection, its deep root system, and its resilience. He motivated others and contributed innovative techniques.
Mangroves are natural defenses in the Sundarbans
Beyond streambank protection, SEEDS has also focused on restoring the Sundarbans’ natural defenses—mangroves and water bodies. To date, over 75,000 mangrove plants have been planted across 25 villages. Over 3.35 lakh people across 67,074 households have benefited from large-scale afforestation projects stabilising riverbanks and preventing saltwater intrusion.
Alongside plantation efforts, the initiative has also established mangrove nurseries in partnership with local Self-Help Groups (SHGs). This has not only enhanced conservation efforts but has also provided villagers with an additional source of income, bypassing middlemen and reducing the risk of exploitation. In addition to restoring these natural barriers, five critical ponds have been identified for restoration, ensuring clean water access for both household and agricultural use.
Mangroves are unique trees and shrubs that thrive in the harsh, saline conditions of coastal intertidal zones. In the Sundarbans, the world’s largest mangrove forest, these ecosystems play a crucial role in preventing soil erosion. Their dense, intricate root systems act as natural barriers, effectively stabilising the shoreline.
Debasish Pradhan (49), a farmer and folk singer from Sridhar Nagar GP in Patharpratima block, has seen firsthand how important these interventions are. He says, “Most of us are fishermen. It is not easy to live in Sundarbans. Every day, we travel to the forest to catch crabs, fish, and prawns, fighting against tigers, snakes, crocodiles, and even pirates.”
The streambank near his home had suffered severe erosion, preventing him from cultivating his land. The introduction of vetiver plantation gave renewed hope to this Banbibi song enthusiast. “I was happy that the team took up the job to protect the streambank. I got involved in the vetiver plantation work, and I hope this will prevent future loss of our land.”
Pond rejuvenation ensures clean water for villagers
Pond rejuvenation is another vital component of the project. With increasing salinity levels in the region, access to fresh water has become a pressing issue. Khokon Bera (47), a farmer from Patharpratima, emphasised the importance of clean water sources. He says, “Due to the rising levels of salinity, these water bodies are essential for carrying out agricultural and household activities.”
Through a community-led effort, villagers cleaned the pond in Purba Sripatinagar, removing waste and treating the water with safe chemical solutions. As a result, they now earn nearly Rs 20,000 per year from fish farming, a livelihood they plan to expand by introducing a kitchen garden at the pond’s edge. “This has given us new opportunities, and we will protect our water sources for the future.” Abbas Gaji, a farmer from Dakshin Durgapur, led the rejuvenation of a crucial pond near the Juma Masjid at the request of local farmers.
He explains how the pond serves as their primary drinking water source in summer when wells dry up and supports agriculture during the rainy season. Following SEEDS’ guidance, the community cleaned the pond’s edges, removed debris, treated the water with lime and potassium permanganate, and disinfected the surrounding area with bleaching powder, bringing relief and gratitude to the villagers.
Through these initiatives, the organisation aims to reach more individuals, fostering disaster resilience and sustainable livelihoods. With every mangrove planted, every pond restored, and every individual trained, the people of the Sundarbans are reclaiming their land and their future, one step at a time. With continued support and dedication, the Sundarbans will remain a beacon of community-led conservation and climate resilience, demonstrating that even in the face of adversity, people can thrive by working with nature rather than against it.
Case Study Credits: Rangeet Mitra, SEEDS
Amita Bhaduri has over 25 years of experience in the natural resource management sector and consults for national and international agencies on policy-related and field-based projects on water, forestry, agriculture, livelihoods, WASH, climate change adaptation, and disaster risk reduction. She is associated with the India Water Portal as a consultant and is based in New Delhi.
This piece has been republished with permission from India Water Portal.
Cover photo: Planting mangroves to protect the coastline: A community-driven approach to climate adaptation. All photos and images by SEEDS.
