The Sundarbans, designated by UNESCO as the world’s largest mangrove forest, represent a combination of beauty and risk. Surrounded by water and dense forest, it is home to the iconic Royal Bengal Tiger. Here, the life of people and the forest send a quiet chill down the spine.

Farming, fishing, crab collection, and honey gathering are the primary sources of livelihood. Many fishermen spend 5 to 15 days at sea, depending on the season. Honey collectors go once a year on a risky 15-day journey into the dense forest. Their life goes on with the clock of water and tithi, following the rhythm of nature every day.

Despite its global ecological value and growing appeal to tourists, the Sundarbans remain noticeably underdeveloped. Drinking water is hard to find—an irony in a place surrounded by rivers and canals, where saltwater makes freshwater rare. The lack of job opportunities forces many to migrate to other states seasonally. However, even with these challenges, life in the Sundarbans stays simple.

The coastal commons of the Sundarbans support the livelihoods and food security of millions, underscoring their profound dependence on the Commons for survival.

Chandrima Biswas, a research scholar at the School of Economics, University of Hyderabad

Prof. Gummadi Sridevi, a Professor at the School of Economics, University of Hyderabad

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