Biodiversity of the Indian Sundarbans

The Sundarbans in India and Bangladesh is a highly biodiverse region. The region is home to the charismatic Bengal tigers (Panthera tigris tigris). However, there are numerous other animal and plant species which could attract our attention to this amazingly beautiful mangrove ecosystem. Bengal tiger is not the only endangered species in the Sundarbans. There are several other endangered and threatened species such as fishing cat (Felis viverrina), estuarine Crocodile (Crocodilus porosus), Gangetic dolphin (Platanista gangetica), king cobra (Ophiophagus hannah), water monitor lizard (Varanus salvator). The region is also home to the famous river terrapin (Batagur baska) which was once thought to be extinct. The Sundarban Tiger Reserve (STR) authority is currently involved in a captive breeding project of the river terrapin. If you visit Sajnekhali Sanctuary in winter, you may find these critically endangered 60-cm long turtles in their captivity. Besides the river terrapin, another famous endangered species is Olive Ridley Turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea)  which are often referred as katha by the Sundarbans fishermen. They are found on the islands located near Bay of Bengal. These southern islands are nesting ground for these turtles. Besides these endangered turtles, one may encounter Gangetic (Platanista gangetica) and Irrawady Dolphin (Oracella brevirostris) in the crisscrossed river channels. The Gangetic Dolphins are also known as shushuk.

Banabibi: The Goddess of the Forest

"Banabibi" literally means the Goddess of the Forest. She is a local deity revered by the forest-going people of the Sundarbans. Irrespective of caste and creed, the honey collectors and fishing communities of the Sundarbans worship Banabibi. Each summer (April-May) several groups of men enter the Sundarban Reserve Forest for collecting wild honey. A honey collection trip is called mahal. Banabibi is worshipped before going to a mahal. Her blessing is absolutely required for the forest-goers as she has the power to protect them from tiger attacks. The story of Banabibi can be heard through Banabibi Pala--a folktale often performed by the residents of the Sundarbans. Banabibi pala is also called Dukhe Yatra. I organized such a pala while I lived and worked in the fishing communities of Gosaba, Sundarbans. I also watched it several times while living at Pakhiralaya--a village located on the boundary of the Sundarban Tiger Reserve. During the peak time of tourism, local people perform the Dukhe Yatra and earn some money. The actors in the lead roles can earn up to INR 2000-3000 per month during the four months tourist season.

Banabibi protecting Dukhe from the wrath of Dakshin Ray

The Dukhe Yatra is the story of Dukhe, a boy who lived with her widowed mother in a village in the Sundarbans. As they were very poor, his uncle Dhona or Dhonai suggested his mother to allow him to go to a mahal. Upon Dukhe's insistence, his mother somewhat allowed him to go to the forest. After reaching at their destination, Dhona and other honey collectors started looking for beehives. However, Dhona and his team were unsuccessful to locate a single beehive. This happened as the tiger god Dakshin Ray, who set an eye on Dukhe, was eager to have a human sacrifice. He appeared in front of Dhona and asked him to offer a human sacrifice. If Dhona could offer a human to him, he would be rewarded with seven boats of honey. Initially Dhona rejected to offer any team member to him. The tiger god then threatened him by saying that he and other honey collectors would be devoured by crocodiles. Thinking of the fate of all, Dhona pleaded with Dakshin Ray and Dakshin Ray asked him to leave Dukhe in the forest. Dhona then forced Dukhe to bring fuel wood from the bank of Kendokhali and left him on the island. When Dakshin Ray was about to kill Dukhe, he called out to the goddess Banabibi. Banabibi appeared at the right moment and rescued him. She also ordered her brother Shah Jangoli to go after the tiger god. In the end, Dukhe was sent to the village with gold, honey, and wax.    

A local potter making the idol of Banabibi before her annual worshipping 

The shrine of Banabibi is always built outside of one's house. As she is the goddess of the forest, her shrine or shelter is built in a corner of the courtyard and often along the unpaved roads. My first encounter to such a shelter occurred when I was walking towards Dayapur ferry. She is usually worshipped during January-February. During this time, the forest goers, especially the honey collectors and fishers, build her new idols and place those on her shrines. The placing of new idols occur during the late afternoon. In the evening, people gather in small groups and worship her. Fruits, flowers, sweets, popped rice are offered and the Banabibi Johuranamah is recited. 

 

Bababibi Pala performed by the local people at Pakhiralaya, Sundarbans

Author: Priyanka Ghosh, University of Kentucky