A group of Sunderbans women who lost their husbands to tiger and crocodile attacks have turned to the predators for a self-sustaining livelihood.
Pramila Gayen, Bina Mondal, Karuna Mondal and seven other women from Gosaba are making terracotta models of tigers and crocodiles, which they want to sell to tourists.
On September 4, the models will be launched formally at Pakhiralay, a popular tourist destination in the mangrove delta.
The women have hired a stall at the Pakhiralay market to display and sell their works.
The Gosaba-based Sunderbans Tiger Widow Welfare Society is supporting the endeavour, which has been conceptualised by marine social scientist Raj Sekhar Aich, a professor at Sister Nivedita University.
Ashim Gayen, of the Sunderbans Tiger Widow Welfare Society, said: “This is the first time we have taken up a project that can help ‘tiger widows’ earn a living in a sustainable way. We are grateful to Raj Sekhar sir.”
Aich came in touch with the Sunderbans Tiger Widow Welfare Society a few months ago.
“The plight of these women led us to seek a solution,” he said.
