LIFE AND DEATH IN THE SUNDARBANS (31 images)

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  • Men light a smoke emitting torch to ward off bees as they hunt for honey in the Sunderbans May 17, 2010. Honey hunting is one of the most high-risk jobs in Bangaldesh. Every year 15-20 honey hunters are attacked and killed by tigers. The hunters can the earn the same amount in eight weeks as they would normally make in six months. The Sunderbans forest in Southern Bangladesh is the largest mangrove forest in the world. There are an estimated five hundred Royal Bengal tigers in the Sunderbans, and about fifty to sixty thousand people depend on the land, rivers and forest for their living. As climate change, hurricanes and cyclones continue to affect the area, the fresh water that once irrigated farmers fields has turned salty, rendering the fields useless. Many people live barely one meter above sea level. Because of rising sea levels and shrinking forest, humans and tigers are fighting for space. The farmers are forced into the forest to hunt for honey, fish, or collect crabs, putting them at risk for a tiger attack. At the time of my visit there had been six attacks leading to two deaths in seven days. There is normally one attack per week.

  • Hannan fishes in the Sunderbans May 18, 2010. Both Hannan's father and father in law were attacked by tigers. His father survived. Him and his wife are too afraid to go near the jungle so they fish far away from the banks. They earn much less than they would if they were to work near the forest where there are much more fish, but believe the alternative is much worse. .The Sunderbans forest in Southern Bangladesh is the largest mangrove forest in the world. There are an estimated five hundred Royal Bengal tigers in the Sunderbans, and about fifty to sixty thousand people depend on the land, rivers and forest for their living. As climate change, hurricanes and cyclones continue to affect the area, the fresh water that once irrigated farmers fields has turned salty, rendering the fields useless. Many people live barely one meter above sea level. Because of rising sea levels and shrinking forest, humans and tigers are fighting for space. The farmers are forced into the forest to hunt for honey, fish, or collect crabs, putting them at risk for a tiger attack. At the time of my visit there had been six attacks leading to two deaths in seven days. There is normally one attack per week.

  • Hannan walks to the market with his children after a rainstorm in the Sunderbans May 23, 2010. Both Hannan's father and father in law were attacked by tigers. His father survived. Him and his wife are too afraid to go near the jungle so they fish far away from the banks. They earn much less than they would if they were to work near the forest where there are much more fish, but believe the alternative is much worse. .The Sunderbans forest in Southern Bangladesh is the largest mangrove forest in the world. There are an estimated five hundred Royal Bengal tigers in the Sunderbans, and about fifty to sixty thousand people depend on the land, rivers and forest for their living. As climate change, hurricanes and cyclones continue to affect the area, the fresh water that once irrigated farmers fields has turned salty, rendering the fields useless. Many people live barely one meter above sea level. Because of rising sea levels and shrinking forest, humans and tigers are fighting for space. The farmers are forced into the forest to hunt for honey, fish, or collect crabs, putting them at risk for a tiger attack. At the time of my visit there had been six attacks leading to two deaths in seven days. There is normally one attack per week.

  • A man stands on his boat off the coast of Gabura in the Sunderbans May 18, 2010. On May 25, 2009 the community was his by Cyclone Aila and a year later the streets are still crowded with displaced residents, living in makeshift homes. The Sunderbans forest in Southern Bangladesh is the largest mangrove forest in the world. There are an estimated five hundred Royal Bengal tigers in the Sunderbans, and about fifty to sixty thousand people depend on the land, rivers and forest for their living. As climate change, hurricanes and cyclones continue to affect the area, the fresh water that once irrigated farmers fields has turned salty, rendering the fields useless. Many people live barely one meter above sea level. Because of rising sea levels and shrinking forest, humans and tigers are fighting for space. The farmers are forced into the forest to hunt for honey, fish, or collect crabs, putting them at risk for a tiger attack. At the time of my visit there had been six attacks leading to two deaths in seven days. There is normally one attack per week.

  • Men carry honey bee hives onto a boat at Harinagar Bazar in the Sundarbans. The Sunderbans forest in Southern Bangladesh is the largest mangrove forest in the world. There are an estimated five hundred Royal Bengal tigers in the Sunderbans, and about fifty to sixty thousand people depend on the land, rivers and forest for their living. As climate change, hurricanes and cyclones continue to affect the area, the fresh water that once irrigated farmers fields has turned salty, rendering the fields useless. Many people live barely one meter above sea level. Because of rising sea levels and shrinking forest, humans and tigers are fighting for space. The farmers are forced into the forest to hunt for honey, fish, or collect crabs, putting them at risk for a tiger attack.

  • Sunderbans, Bangladesh, May 20, 2010.

  • Kushum Mondul stands outside her goat house in the town of Golakali. "I was inside my house at the time. When the tiger entered the goat house next door it broke through the wall. I was sitting on my bed and I called for my older sister. I told her that I heard the goats being killed by the tiger. We were trying to think what we could do. My older sister was so scared; she lost control of her bladder. We started screaming inside the house; some villagers heard and they came. My sister said to stay inside, if you open the door we might be in danger. We tried to scare the tiger off by hitting a large plastic container, hoping to make enough noise to scare off the tiger, but he killed 9 goats. The villagers came yelling, pushed the tiger away, and they killed it. I cried for the loss of my goats. Now I have to fish in the river. At sunset I start to get scared thinking the tiger will come again, and I lock my door. We don't leave our home at night; we keep a pot inside the home for bathroom use. I'm a poor woman. I made my living by raising goats, but the tiger killed all my goats. What am I to do now?"..The Sunderbans forest in Southern Bangladesh is the largest mangrove forest in the world. There are an estimated five hundred Royal Bengal tigers in the Sunderbans, and about fifty to sixty thousand people depend on the land, rivers and forest for their living. As climate change, hurricanes and cyclones continue to affect the area, the fresh water that once irrigated farmers fields has turned salty, rendering the fields useless. Many people live barely one meter above sea level. Because of rising sea levels and shrinking forest, humans and tigers are fighting for space. The farmers are forced into the forest to hunt for honey, fish, or collect crabs, putting them at risk for a tiger attack.

  • Jungle Kumar Vungi, 41, lives in Milgung. His wife, Brinde Bai, was killed by a tiger a year and a half ago. "I was born and raised here. When we were married, I was 25 years old and Brinde Bai was 18. She died a year and a half ago from the tiger attack. My wife and I went into the jungle to collect crabs. We found no crabs, so on the way out we stopped to collect firewood. When we were walking back to the boat, the tiger jumped on her back. I never heard it coming; it was just suddenly on her. I made noises to scare it off but it dragged her into the jungle. When the tiger attacked I suddenly felt nothing. I thought my heart would stop and was terrified. I knew if I went into the jungle after her I would die as well; I knew she was dead when the tiger dragged her away. I went back to the village and arranged for 50 people to go back into the jungle and get her. Her body was about 20 meters from the place where she was attacked..After her death I became weaker. I never stop thinking about her. I remember over and over again that she died before my eyes. I have not gone into the jungle since her death. Now I work in town as a laborer. It brings me less money but I make enough to support my family. When my wife was alive our family was much healthier and wealthier. Now everything has declined. I remarried 7 months after her death and my new wife is too shy to work. I will never go into the jungle again. I miss her.".The Sunderbans forest in Southern Bangladesh is the largest mangrove forest in the world. There are an estimated five hundred Royal Bengal tigers in the Sunderbans, and about fifty to sixty thousand people depend on the land, rivers and forest for their living. As climate change, hurricanes and cyclones continue to affect the area, the fresh water that once irrigated farmers fields has turned salty, rendering the fields useless. Many people live barely one meter above sea level. Because of rising sea levels and shrinking forest, humans and tigers are f

  • Shorifa Begum, 40, lives in Gabura. Her husband Kaiser Mali was killed by a tiger in 2010 and she is struggling to survive by carrying on the work that her husband used to do, fishing and collecting crabs. Married at age 13 and now the mother of seven children, Shorifa says, "Before he died, things were nice. Now they are uncertain. Sometimes there aren't enough fish or crabs. Sometimes I don't even make one taka."..The Sundarbans forest in Southern Bangladesh is the largest mangrove forest in the world. There are an estimated five hundred Royal Bengal tigers in the Sunderbans, and about fifty to sixty thousand people depend on the land, rivers and forest for their living. As climate change, hurricanes and cyclones continue to affect the area, the fresh water that once irrigated farmers fields has turned salty, rendering the fields useless. Many people live barely one meter above sea level. Because of rising sea levels and shrinking forest, humans and tigers are fighting for space. The farmers are forced into the forest to hunt for honey, fish, or collect crabs, putting them at risk for a tiger attack.

  • Ali Moti is photographed in her home in Moturapur. She doesn't know how old she is, but guesses she is 25. Her husband, Nabo Kumar Mandol, was killed by a tiger last year while he was fishing in the Purakalla canal. Ali was cooking in her neighbor's house when she was told about the attack. "When I heard this I was senseless, crying. I had to be carried home and was unconscious about 30 minutes. The forest response team took my husband's body back to this town; I fainted again when I saw it." .Ali must work to support herself and her two children, as well as a brother and sister-in-law. She now has a job repairing the roads in her town and earns 1,500 taka (about 14 usd) per week. Her brother-in-law is too afraid to work in the jungle. He works on the mainland, and jobs are scarce; although he looks for work every day, he has not managed to find more than two days' work each week. Her son catches crabs close to the mainland, not in the forest, making only 20-50 taka (18 to 46 cents) per day.. "I was 15 when my mother and father told me I was going to be married. I didn't want to leave my parents and live with a man I didn't know, so I ran away. My husband and I had a good marriage and a good life. He loved me and I was fortunate because my sister- in- law and I became very good friends. She will be married soon. I don't miss my husband; I can survive by myself and take care of my son and daughter. Things are okay but sometimes I have to borrow money. Things are not good, but okay."..The Sunderbans forest in Southern Bangladesh is the largest mangrove forest in the world. There are an estimated five hundred Royal Bengal tigers in the Sunderbans, and about fifty to sixty thousand people depend on the land, rivers and forest for their living. As climate change, hurricanes and cyclones continue to affect the area, the fresh water that once irrigated farmers fields has turned salty, rendering the fields useless. Many people live barely one meter above sea level. Bec

  • Sockina, 37, lives in Kalinchi. Her husband was killed by a tiger two years ago. "My husband went to Tallpati in the jungle with 4 other men to fish. Around 1 pm he was attacked and the other men tried to save him. They carried him alive to our home. He was unconscious. A doctor came and tried to stop the bleeding from the back of his neck and chest. After half an hour he died. I was crying when I first saw him and I was terrified when he died. I thought, 'How can I survive this?' I miss him because when he was beside me I had less pressure to look for work. I didn't have to work before he died. Now I work 2 to 3 days a week. I look every day for work but I can't find it. I was 15 when I found out I was to be married and I was afraid and I cried. We had a great marriage. I was happy. I loved him and he took very good care of me. Now I have too many responsibilities. I am very unhappy. I have no hope for the future. I pray to Allah for death."..The Sunderbans forest in Southern Bangladesh is the largest mangrove forest in the world. There are an estimated five hundred Royal Bengal tigers in the Sunderbans, and about fifty to sixty thousand people depend on the land, rivers and forest for their living. As climate change, hurricanes and cyclones continue to affect the area, the fresh water that once irrigated farmers fields has turned salty, rendering the fields useless. Many people live barely one meter above sea level. Because of rising sea levels and shrinking forest, humans and tigers are fighting for space. The farmers are forced into the forest to hunt for honey, fish, or collect crabs, putting them at risk for a tiger attack.

  • Halima, 49, lives in Kodomtola. "My husband and son were killed by the tiger 9 months ago. They entered the jungle to collect wood. My husband climbed the tree while my son stayed on the ground. That's when the tiger attacked my son. My husband saw what was happening and climbed back down to try to save him. They were alone together so no one knows exactly what happened. Fishermen downstream heard what was happening. They found my sons body and then the tiger response team and villagers went in the next morning and found my husbands body. Almost his entire body was eaten. Only his face was untouched. When I heard the news I went mad. No one would let me hear my husbands mangled body. Only after they prepared and cleaned his body for burial would they let me see his face. When I saw him I went senseless. I fainted. Before this incident I was much healthier. Now I just don't feel right. I have to work and I am physically not right to work. I make some money but once and a while I must ask neighbors for food. Sometimes I go a day without eating. When my husband was alive I didn't work. We always had enough and didn't want for anything. I regret that I wasn't able to help my son more. I wish I could have arranged for work in town for him, or sent him to school. This wouldn't have happened. I was 12 years old when I got married. I wasn't informed of the marriage until the day of the wedding. That's just how it was. I was his second wife. He had three children from his previous marriage. They called me "mom" which was so shocking. I was only 12 and the son was almost 10. The loved me very much, like I was their real mom. My married life was very night. He was very caring and loved me very much. I loved him a lot. I miss his so much. I still cry for him."..The Sundarbans forest in Southern Bangladesh is the largest mangrove forest in the world. There are an estimated five hundred Royal Bengal tigers in the Sunderbans, and about fifty to sixty thousand people depend on the

  • Sunderbans, Bangladesh, May 20, 2010.

  • Rabia Begum, 30, lives in Kalinchy. Her husband, Anarul Shana, was killed by a tiger two years ago. "He went to the jungle in the early morning hour to fish and was attacked a few hours later. His companions brought him back to town and the villagers arranged for an ambulance to take him to the hospital, where he died. Now I work in the jungle, fishing. Prior to his death I didn't work. I was married at 13 years of age; my parents told me just 6 months before the wedding. I wanted an education because I wanted to be a primary school teacher but my parents were very poor and I had to obey them. My first month of marriage was very unhappy but after a month or so, I changed my mind; I was married and had to take care of my husband. I came to love him with all my heart and was very happy. I am still grieving for my husband. Now I have to work and am struggling so much; it's hard for me to earn money. I have very little hope for the future. My biggest wish is to be able to educate my sons. I want them to succeed but I can't arrange everything for them.".The Sunderbans forest in Southern Bangladesh is the largest mangrove forest in the world. There are an estimated five hundred Royal Bengal tigers in the Sundarbans, and about fifty to sixty thousand people depend on the land, rivers and forest for their living. As climate change, hurricanes and cyclones continue to affect the area, the fresh water that once irrigated farmers fields has turned salty, rendering the fields useless. Many people live barely one meter above sea level. Because of rising sea levels and shrinking forest, humans and tigers are fighting for space. The farmers are forced into the forest to hunt for honey, fish, or collect crabs, putting them at risk for a tiger attack.

  • 13 year old Ruhel and 18 year old Rubel are seen outside their home in the Sunderbans May 17, 2010. Ruhel and his cousin Rubel went to fish for crabs in a narrow canal called Tuskhali in the forest. Sailing into these canals is extremely dangerous because the boat is surrounded by dense forest on either side, making it impossible to spot a tiger until it is too late. Ruhel and Rubel were sailing through the middle of the canal when the tiger leaped into Ruhel, clawing his head, back and chest. Rubel grabbed the tiger by it's paw and tried to push it off his cousin, injuring his arms but scaring away the tiger. .The Sunderbans forest in Southern Bangladesh is the largest mangrove forest in the world. There are an estimated five hundred Royal Bengal tigers in the Sunderbans, and about fifty to sixty thousand people depend on the land, rivers and forest for their living. As climate change, hurricanes and cyclones continue to affect the area, the fresh water that once irrigated farmers fields has turned salty, rendering the fields useless. Many people live barely one meter above sea level. Because of rising sea levels and shrinking forest, humans and tigers are fighting for space. The farmers are forced into the forest to hunt for honey, fish, or collect crabs, putting them at risk for a tiger attack. At the time of my visit there had been six attacks leading to two deaths in seven days. There is normally one attack per week.

  • Rahul Morol, 14, is photographed outside his home one year after being attacked by a tiger while fishing with his cousin. "After the attack it took one and a half months to fully recover. Before the attack I was not afraid of tigers, but now I feel afraid.".In May 2010, Ruhel and his cousin Rubel went to fish for crabs in the forest in a narrow canal called Tuskhali. Fishing in these canals is extremely dangerous because the boat is surrounded by dense forest on either side, making it impossible to spot a tiger until it is too late. Their boat was moving through the middle of the canal when a tiger leaped onto Ruhel, clawing his head, back and chest. Rubel grabbed the tiger by its paw and tried to push it off his cousin, injuring his arms but scaring away the tiger. Rahul no longer works and has vowed never to return to the jungle. When his father ventures into the jungle, he fears for his safety, remembering the horror of the tiger attack. His cousin, too frightened to continue living and working in Jotinronaghor, left Bangladesh after the attack and now works as a painter in India. Ruhel plans to be a shrimp farmer in the future and says, " I have no other plan. No other option."..The Sundarbans forest in Southern Bangladesh is the largest mangrove forest in the world. There are an estimated five hundred Royal Bengal tigers in the Sunderbans, and about fifty to sixty thousand people depend on the land, rivers and forest for their living. As climate change, hurricanes and cyclones continue to affect the area, the fresh water that once irrigated farmers fields has turned salty, rendering the fields useless. Many people live barely one meter above sea level. Because of rising sea levels and shrinking forest, humans and tigers are fighting for space. The farmers are forced into the forest to hunt for honey, fish, or collect crabs, putting them at risk for a tiger attack.

  • The funeral for Nasima Akhter is seen in the Sunderbans May 16, 2010. In the morning, after finishing all her household work, Nasima and her husband Khalil went crab fishing in the forest. While they were fishing on the banks of the forest a tiger snuck up from behind and pounced on Nasima. Khalil drove the tiger away with a tree branch, but could not save his wife. As she lay dying on the river shore she hugged Khalil made him promise never to come to the forest again. She whispered to him, "What will happen to our children if a tiger attacks you?" Khalil is planning to move leaving his home and move to the northeastern region of Bandarban at the end of this month. .The Sunderbans forest in Southern Bangladesh is the largest mangrove forest in the world. There are an estimated five hundred Royal Bengal tigers in the Sunderbans, and about fifty to sixty thousand people depend on the land, rivers and forest for their living. As climate change, hurricanes and cyclones continue to affect the area, the fresh water that once irrigated farmers fields has turned salty, rendering the fields useless. Many people live barely one meter above sea level. Because of rising sea levels and shrinking forest, humans and tigers are fighting for space. The farmers are forced into the forest to hunt for honey, fish, or collect crabs, putting them at risk for a tiger attack. At the time of my visit there had been six attacks leading to two deaths in seven days. There is normally one attack per week.

  • Khalil is seen at the funeral for his wife, Nasima Akhter, in the Sunderbans May 16, 2010. In the morning, after finishing all her household work, Nasima and Khalil went crab fishing in the forest. While they were fishing on the banks of the forest a tiger snuck up from behind and pounced on Nasima. Khalil drove the tiger away with a tree branch, but could not save his wife. As she lay dying on the river shore she hugged Khalil made him promise never to come to the forest again. She whispered to him, "What will happen to our children if a tiger attacks you?" Khalil is planning to move leaving his home and move to the northeastern region of Bandarban at the end of this month. .The Sunderbans forest in Southern Bangladesh is the largest mangrove forest in the world. There are an estimated five hundred Royal Bengal tigers in the Sunderbans, and about fifty to sixty thousand people depend on the land, rivers and forest for their living. As climate change, hurricanes and cyclones continue to affect the area, the fresh water that once irrigated farmers fields has turned salty, rendering the fields useless. Many people live barely one meter above sea level. Because of rising sea levels and shrinking forest, humans and tigers are fighting for space. The farmers are forced into the forest to hunt for honey, fish, or collect crabs, putting them at risk for a tiger attack. At the time of my visit there had been six attacks leading to two deaths in seven days. There is normally one attack per week.

  • The funeral for Nasima Akhter is seen in the Sunderbans May 16, 2010. In the morning, after finishing all her household work, Nasima and her husband Khalil went crab fishing in the forest. While they were fishing on the banks of the forest a tiger snuck up from behind and pounced on Nasima. Khalil drove the tiger away with a tree branch, but could not save his wife. As she lay dying on the river shore she hugged Khalil made him promise never to come to the forest again. She whispered to him, "What will happen to our children if a tiger attacks you?" Khalil is planning to move leaving his home and move to the northeastern region of Bandarban at the end of this month. .The Sunderbans forest in Southern Bangladesh is the largest mangrove forest in the world. There are an estimated five hundred Royal Bengal tigers in the Sunderbans, and about fifty to sixty thousand people depend on the land, rivers and forest for their living. As climate change, hurricanes and cyclones continue to affect the area, the fresh water that once irrigated farmers fields has turned salty, rendering the fields useless. Many people live barely one meter above sea level. Because of rising sea levels and shrinking forest, humans and tigers are fighting for space. The farmers are forced into the forest to hunt for honey, fish, or collect crabs, putting them at risk for a tiger attack. At the time of my visit there had been six attacks leading to two deaths in seven days. There is normally one attack per week.

  • Khalil Gazi is photographed in his home 10 months after his wife Nasima was killed by a tiger. "I often think of Nasima when I am in the jungle and am sad when I remember how I had to carry her dead body out of the jungle. Now I have to keep living for my children because I have to educate them and try my best for them." Two months after Nasima's death, Khalil sought employment away from his village. He was unsuccessful in finding a job in Bandarban but eventually got a job as a laborer in Jessore, earning 500 taka (around 5 usd) per week. Illness forced him to move back to his village and he had to rely on his parents to pay 35,000 taka (324usd) for his medical treatment. He still remains there and reports that he makes his living by collecting crabs from the canals, selling shrimp, and honey hunting. He is worried about the tigers but feels that he has no other option. Although working as a laborer was safer, he earns more money now. Three of his children go to school and he married Rena Begum five months ago. "The first time I entered the jungle after Nasima's death I was terrified and it took 4 to 5 months for me to feel normal in the jungle again. Since being back home in the Sundarbans I am happier than I was before."..May 16, 2010, in the morning, after finishing their household work, Nasima and Khalil went crab fishing in the forest. While they were fishing on the banks of the forest a tiger snuck up from behind and pounced on Nasima. Khalil drove the tiger away with a tree branch, but could not save his wife. As she lay dying on the river shore she hugged Khalil and made him promise never to come to the forest again. She whispered to him, "What will happen to our children if a tiger attacks you?"..The Sunderbans forest in Southern Bangladesh is the largest mangrove forest in the world. There are an estimated five hundred Royal Bengal tigers in the Sunderbans, and about fifty to sixty thousand people depend on the land, rivers and forest for their

  • Khalil Gazi (left) and his brother collect crabs in the jungle just 10 months after his wife Nasima was killed by a tiger. "I often think of Nasima when I am in the jungle and am sad when I remember how I had to carry her dead body out of the jungle. Now I have to keep living for my children because I have to educate them and try my best for them." Two months after Nasima's death, Khalil sought employment away from his village. He was unsuccessful in finding a job in Bandarban but eventually got a job as a laborer in Jessore, earning 500 taka (around 5 usd) per week. Illness forced him to move back to his village and he had to rely on his parents to pay 35,000 taka (324usd) for his medical treatment. He still remains there and reports that he makes his living by collecting crabs from the canals, selling shrimp, and honey hunting. He is worried about the tigers but feels that he has no other option. Although working as a laborer was safer, he earns more money now. Three of his children go to school and he married Rena Begum five months ago. "The first time I entered the jungle after Nasima's death I was terrified and it took 4 to 5 months for me to feel normal in the jungle again. Since being back home in the Sundarbans I am happier than I was before.".May 16, 2010, in the morning, after finishing their household work, Nasima and Khalil went crab fishing in the forest. While they were fishing on the banks of the forest a tiger snuck up from behind and pounced on Nasima. Khalil drove the tiger away with a tree branch, but could not save his wife. As she lay dying on the river shore she hugged Khalil and made him promise never to come to the forest again. She whispered to him, "What will happen to our children if a tiger attacks you?".The Sunderbans forest in Southern Bangladesh is the largest mangrove forest in the world. There are an estimated five hundred Royal Bengal tigers in the Sunderbans, and about fifty to sixty thousand people depend on the land, ri

  • Khalil Gazi, 31, and his wife Rena Begum, 21, are photographed outside his home in Jotinronaghor 10 months after his previous wife Nasima was killed by a tiger. "I often think of Nasima when I am in the jungle and am sad when I remember how I had to carry her dead body out of the jungle. Now I have to keep living for my children because I have to educate them and try my best for them." Two months after Nasima's death, Khalil sought employment away from his village. He was unsuccessful in finding a job in Bandarban but eventually got a job as a laborer in Jessore, earning 500 taka (around 5 usd) per week. Illness forced him to move back to his village and he had to rely on his parents to pay 35,000 taka (324usd) for his medical treatment. He still remains there and reports that he makes his living by collecting crabs from the canals, selling shrimp, and honey hunting. He is worried about the tigers but feels that he has no other option. Although working as a laborer was safer, he earns more money now. Three of his children go to school and he married Rena Begum five months ago. "The first time I entered the jungle after Nasima's death I was terrified and it took 4 to 5 months for me to feel normal in the jungle again. Since being back home in the Sundarbans I am happier than I was before.".May 16, 2010, in the morning, after finishing their household work, Nasima and Khalil went crab fishing in the forest. While they were fishing on the banks of the forest a tiger snuck up from behind and pounced on Nasima. Khalil drove the tiger away with a tree branch, but could not save his wife. As she lay dying on the river shore she hugged Khalil and made him promise never to come to the forest again. She whispered to him, "What will happen to our children if a tiger attacks you?"..The Sunderbans forest in Southern Bangladesh is the largest mangrove forest in the world. There are an estimated five hundred Royal Bengal tigers in the Sunderbans, and about fifty to sixty

  • Khalil Gazi (left) and his relatives collect crabs in the jungle just 10 months after his wife Nasima was killed by a tiger. "I often think of Nasima when I am in the jungle and am sad when I remember how I had to carry her dead body out of the jungle. Now I have to keep living for my children because I have to educate them and try my best for them." Two months after Nasima's death, Khalil sought employment away from his village. He was unsuccessful in finding a job in Bandarban but eventually got a job as a laborer in Jessore, earning 500 taka (around 5 usd) per week. Illness forced him to move back to his village and he had to rely on his parents to pay 35,000 taka (324usd) for his medical treatment. He still remains there and reports that he makes his living by collecting crabs from the canals, selling shrimp, and honey hunting. He is worried about the tigers but feels that he has no other option. Although working as a laborer was safer, he earns more money now. Three of his children go to school and he married Rena Begum five months ago. "The first time I entered the jungle after Nasima's death I was terrified and it took 4 to 5 months for me to feel normal in the jungle again. Since being back home in the Sundarbans I am happier than I was before.".May 16, 2010, in the morning, after finishing their household work, Nasima and Khalil went crab fishing in the forest. While they were fishing on the banks of the forest a tiger snuck up from behind and pounced on Nasima. Khalil drove the tiger away with a tree branch, but could not save his wife. As she lay dying on the river shore she hugged Khalil and made him promise never to come to the forest again. She whispered to him, "What will happen to our children if a tiger attacks you?".The Sunderbans forest in Southern Bangladesh is the largest mangrove forest in the world. There are an estimated five hundred Royal Bengal tigers in the Sunderbans, and about fifty to sixty thousand people depend on the land,

  • A boy peers through the bars of his home in the Sunderbans May 23, 2010. The Sunderbans forest in Southern Bangladesh is the largest mangrove forest in the world. There are an estimated five hundred Royal Bengal tigers in the Sunderbans, and about fifty to sixty thousand people depend on the land, rivers and forest for their living. As climate change, hurricanes and cyclones continue to affect the area, the fresh water that once irrigated farmers fields has turned salty, rendering the fields useless. Many people live barely one meter above sea level. Because of rising sea levels and shrinking forest, humans and tigers are fighting for space. The farmers are forced into the forest to hunt for honey, fish, or collect crabs, putting them at risk for a tiger attack. At the time of my visit there had been six attacks leading to two deaths in seven days. There is normally one attack per week.

  • Women collect shrimp in Harinagar, earning around 80 taka (around $1.10) a day. Many people opt to farm shrimp instead of working in the jungle, where they could earn more money. The risks they would encounter in the jungle are best avoided. The Sundarbans forest in Southern Bangladesh is the largest mangrove forest in the world. There are an estimated five hundred Royal Bengal tigers in the Sunderbans, and about fifty to sixty thousand people depend on the land, rivers and forest for their living. As climate change, hurricanes and cyclones continue to affect the area, the fresh water that once irrigated farmers fields has turned salty, rendering the fields useless. Many people live barely one meter above sea level. Because of rising sea levels and shrinking forest, humans and tigers are fighting for space. The farmers are forced into the forest to hunt for honey, fish, or collect crabs, putting them at risk for a tiger attack.

  • A boy fishes in the Sunderbans May 18, 2010. The Sunderbans forest in Southern Bangladesh is the largest mangrove forest in the world. There are an estimated five hundred Royal Bengal tigers in the Sunderbans, and about fifty to sixty thousand people depend on the land, rivers and forest for their living. As climate change, hurricanes and cyclones continue to affect the area, the fresh water that once irrigated farmers fields has turned salty, rendering the fields useless. Many people live barely one meter above sea level. Because of rising sea levels and shrinking forest, humans and tigers are fighting for space. The farmers are forced into the forest to hunt for honey, fish, or collect crabs, putting them at risk for a tiger attack. At the time of my visit there had been six attacks leading to two deaths in seven days. There is normally one attack per week.

  • The body of Muhammad Alu is laid out before buriel. Muhammad was brutally killed by a tiger in the jungle where he was hunting for honey. After countless hours of tracking honey bees through the dense Mangrove forest, Muhammad and five friends lost their way and decided to head back to their boat on the Talputi Canal. Suddenly, he cried out as a tiger mauled him from behind. His friends immediately began shouting and running toward him, scaring the tiger away. Although the attack lasted for only 5 seconds, the 250 pound animal was able to engulf the innocent man's head and inflict fatal damage. Muhammed left behind four sons and his wife, Rashida Begum. ..The Sundarbans forest in Southern Bangladesh is the largest mangrove forest in the world. There are an estimated five hundred Royal Bengal tigers in the Sunderbans, and about fifty to sixty thousand people depend on the land, rivers and forest for their living. As climate change, hurricanes and cyclones continue to affect the area, the fresh water that once irrigated farmers fields has turned salty, rendering the fields useless. Many people live barely one meter above sea level. Because of rising sea levels and shrinking forest, humans and tigers are fighting for space. The farmers are forced into the forest to hunt for honey, fish, or collect crabs, putting them at risk for a tiger attack.

  • Muhammad Alu's mother cried at his funeral. Muhammad was brutally killed by a tiger in the jungle where he was hunting for honey. After countless hours of tracking honey bees through the dense Mangrove forest, Muhammad and five friends lost their way and decided to head back to their boat on the Talputi Canal. Suddenly, he cried out as a tiger mauled him from behind. His friends immediately began shouting and running toward him, scaring the tiger away. Although the attack lasted for only 5 seconds, the 250 pound animal was able to engulf the innocent man's head and inflict fatal damage. Muhammed left behind four sons and his wife, Rashida Begum. ..The Sundarbans forest in Southern Bangladesh is the largest mangrove forest in the world. There are an estimated five hundred Royal Bengal tigers in the Sunderbans, and about fifty to sixty thousand people depend on the land, rivers and forest for their living. As climate change, hurricanes and cyclones continue to affect the area, the fresh water that once irrigated farmers fields has turned salty, rendering the fields useless. Many people live barely one meter above sea level. Because of rising sea levels and shrinking forest, humans and tigers are fighting for space. The farmers are forced into the forest to hunt for honey, fish, or collect crabs, putting them at risk for a tiger attack.

  • Muhammad Alum's wife Rashida Begum faints at her husbands funeral after he was brutally killed by a tiger in the jungle where he was hunting for honey. After countless hours of tracking honey bees through the dense Mangrove forest, Muhammad and five friends lost their way and decided to head back to their boat on the Talputi Canal. Suddenly, he cried out as a tiger mauled him from behind. His friends immediately began shouting and running toward him, scaring the tiger away. Although the attack lasted for only 5 seconds, the 250 pound animal was able to engulf the innocent man's head and inflict fatal damage. Muhammed left behind four sons and his wife, Rashida Begum. ..The Sundarbans forest in Southern Bangladesh is the largest mangrove forest in the world. There are an estimated five hundred Royal Bengal tigers in the Sunderbans, and about fifty to sixty thousand people depend on the land, rivers and forest for their living. As climate change, hurricanes and cyclones continue to affect the area, the fresh water that once irrigated farmers fields has turned salty, rendering the fields useless. Many people live barely one meter above sea level. Because of rising sea levels and shrinking forest, humans and tigers are fighting for space. The farmers are forced into the forest to hunt for honey, fish, or collect crabs, putting them at risk for a tiger attack.

  • A woman weeps at the funeral of Muhammad Alu, who was brutally killed by a tiger in the jungle where he was hunting for honey. After countless hours of tracking honey bees through the dense Mangrove forest, Muhammad and five friends lost their way and decided to head back to their boat on the Talputi Canal. Suddenly, he cried out as a tiger mauled him from behind. His friends immediately began shouting and running toward him, scaring the tiger away. Although the attack lasted for only 5 seconds, the 250 pound animal was able to engulf the innocent man's head and inflict fatal damage. Muhammed left behind four sons and his wife, Rashida Begum. ..The Sundarbans forest in Southern Bangladesh is the largest mangrove forest in the world. There are an estimated five hundred Royal Bengal tigers in the Sunderbans, and about fifty to sixty thousand people depend on the land, rivers and forest for their living. As climate change, hurricanes and cyclones continue to affect the area, the fresh water that once irrigated farmers fields has turned salty, rendering the fields useless. Many people live barely one meter above sea level. Because of rising sea levels and shrinking forest, humans and tigers are fighting for space. The farmers are forced into the forest to hunt for honey, fish, or collect crabs, putting them at risk for a tiger attack.

  • The burial of Muhammad Alum takes place at Gabura. Muhammad was brutally killed by a tiger in the jungle where he was hunting for honey. After countless hours of tracking honey bees through the dense Mangrove forest, Muhammad and five friends lost their way and decided to head back to their boat on the Talputi Canal. Suddenly, he cried out as a tiger mauled him from behind. His friends immediately began shouting and running toward him, scaring the tiger away. Although the attack lasted for only 5 seconds, the 250 pound animal was able to engulf the innocent man's head and inflict fatal damage. Muhammed left behind four sons and his wife, Rashida Begum. ..The Sundarbans forest in Southern Bangladesh is the largest mangrove forest in the world. There are an estimated five hundred Royal Bengal tigers in the Sunderbans, and about fifty to sixty thousand people depend on the land, rivers and forest for their living. As climate change, hurricanes and cyclones continue to affect the area, the fresh water that once irrigated farmers fields has turned salty, rendering the fields useless. Many people live barely one meter above sea level. Because of rising sea levels and shrinking forest, humans and tigers are fighting for space. The farmers are forced into the forest to hunt for honey, fish, or collect crabs, putting them at risk for a tiger attack.

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