Fighting Against Tragedy: Mothers Unite to Combat Drownings in India's Wetlands

Local Initiatives Are Offering Hope Amidst the Ongoing Crisis in the Sundarbans

Mangala Pradhan will never forget the devastating morning she lost her one-year-old son in the unforgiving waters of the Sundarbans. Sixteen years ago, her son Ajit, full of curiosity and energy, wandered away from their modest home in the remote delta region of West Bengal. What seemed like a routine day turned into an unimaginable tragedy when her little boy, who had just learned to walk, slipped unnoticed into a pond near their house.

As Mangala frantically called for help, her worst fears were realized when her brother-in-law found her son's lifeless body floating in the water. This heartbreaking loss has fueled Mangala's determination to ensure no other mother has to endure such a fate. Today, she is among a group of 16 mothers dedicated to protecting local children. They volunteer at two makeshift crèches set up by the Child In Need Institute (CINI), where they care for and educate children while their parents work. "These mothers are the true guardians of children, not their own but still full of love," says Sujoy Roy of CINI.

Drowning remains a grave problem in the Sundarbans, a vast, water-rich region where rivers and ponds are an integral part of daily life. Despite the beauty of the region, the water poses significant dangers, with tragic consequences for countless families. A 2020 study by CINI and The George Institute revealed that nearly three children aged 1 to 9 drown each day in the Sundarbans, with the peak occurring during the monsoon season, when caregivers are often preoccupied with household tasks. Of those who drowned, 65% did so within 50 meters of their homes, and only 6% received any medical attention. With inadequate healthcare infrastructure, the region is struggling to prevent such fatalities.

To combat this, the villagers are pushing back against a history of superstition and lack of awareness. After losing her own daughter to drowning, Sujata Das has taken proactive steps to make her home safer. She has started to fence her pond with bamboo and is advocating for swimming lessons and CPR training within the community. "We must act to prevent these tragedies," she says.

The need for local resilience is pressing. Despite the challenges, including the region's vulnerability to natural disasters and a history of traditional beliefs, initiatives like these are beginning to make a difference. Through funding from India’s top medical research agency, the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), and grassroots efforts, thousands of villagers have received CPR training, and plans to fence ponds and establish more crèches are underway.

Efforts in neighboring Bangladesh show that such initiatives can have a real impact. With the introduction of wooden playpens and the establishment of thousands of crèches, drowning deaths were reduced by 88%. In Vietnam, focusing on teaching children water survival skills has also yielded positive results. These examples provide a model for India, where the need for change is urgent.

While drownings continue to devastate families in the Sundarbans, hope is growing. Through local action, the community is pushing for safer practices to protect children from the deadly waters. Kakoli Das, whose own son drowned last summer, urges other parents to take action: "Fence your ponds, learn CPR, teach children to swim. We cannot afford to wait. Every life is precious."

For now, these makeshift crèches offer a glimmer of hope for the children of the Sundarbans. As four-year-old Manik Pal sings a hopeful song at one of the crèches, reminding his friends not to venture near the ponds alone, his voice rings out as a symbol of the community’s determination to safeguard the lives of their children.