Mothers Unite to Combat Drowning Crisis in India's Sundarbans

With three children drowning daily in India's Sundarbans, grieving mothers have come together to create makeshift creches and implement safety measures to protect their own and other young ones, sparking a movement to combat the growing crisis in this fragile environment.

Mangala Pradhan can still feel the haunting echoes of that fateful morning from 16 years ago when she lost her one-year-old son, Ajit. Living in the unforgiving Sundarbans, a sprawling delta comprised of 100 islands in West Bengal, she recounts the moment of unimaginable loss as her inquisitive child wandered unnoticed into a pond outside their home. "Where is my boy? Has anyone seen my boy?" she frantically cried as neighbors rushed to help, only to discover her son's lifeless body floating in the water.

Today, Mangala is part of a resilient group of 16 mothers who have established two makeshift creches with the help of the Child In Need Institute (CINI), caring for around 40 children whose parents must work. "These mothers are the saviors of children who are not their own," says Sujoy Roy of CINI, emphasizing the critical need for preventative care as drownings continue to plague this riverine region.

A 2020 survey conducted in the area highlights the grim reality: an average of three children aged one to nine drown daily. July sees the peak of these incidents, coinciding with the monsoon rains when caregivers are often preoccupied with chores. Tragically, 65% of these drownings occur within a mere 50 meters from home, underscoring how easily tragedy can strike amid daily life in the Sundarbans.

As villagers wrestle with dangers posed by both water and wildlife—rampaging tigers and venomous snakes are constant threats—Mangala and others are determined not to let grief continue unchecked. "As a mother, I don’t want any other mother to endure what I did. We live amid so many dangers anyway," she asserts firmly.

After losing her 18-month-old daughter Ambika, Sujata Das is also mobilizing her community, suggesting simple yet effective measures such as fencing ponds and teaching children basic swimming skills. Though superstitions complicate change—people fear angering water deities—there's a growing recognition that preventative action is necessary.

In Bangladesh, where drowning was once the leading cause of child mortality, the introduction of wooden playpens in courtyards and the establishment of creches led to a dramatic reduction in fatalities. Inspired by these successes, CINI aims to promote awareness and resilience among Sundarbans families.

Sadly, drowning remains a significant global issue, claiming around 300,000 lives annually, with many victims being young children. In Sundarbans, the alarming statistics and heartbreaking stories have ignited a fervent call for safeguard measures and community action.

"Please, I beg every mother: fence your ponds, learn how to revive children and teach them how to swim. This is about saving lives. We cannot afford to wait," urges Kakoli Das, whose own son drowned after mistaking a flooded path for solid ground.

Creches have emerged as a crucial lifeline, where children are educated and cared for under vigilant eyes. With the empowering message resonating among the community, young ones are learning songs of safety, promising not to venture towards ponds alone.