Nature
By ayanmisra
- 652 reads
Sunderbans. It's the home of the ferocious Bengal Tiger. It is a
unique biological system. As the river Ganges touches the Bay of Bengal
it forms a massive delta. This delta is covered by mangrove trees and
from the local name for these trees the place is called Sunderbans,
forest of mangroves. There was a time when the forest cover was too
rich to even think about. Deforestation and human greed have claimed
much of the rich flora and fauna in this area. Yet, what remains is
fascinating. For one there is the tiger. Deprived of fresh water and
surrounded by sea the tiger has adapted to saline water. According to
locals the salt in the water has made the tiger man-eating. Naturally.
Thus the golden yellow beast with stripes is to be feared and avoided.
There are few animals left in the forest on which the tiger can prey.
Thus it must visit human settlements again and again. Initially the
poultry is targeted. Then the cattle are taken away. When the tiger is
bold enough, human beings are attacked. Of course the actual number of
tigers is so small that all this does not happen always. But human
beings are in a perpetual state of alert. Very few humans venture into
the jungles. Since most of the water is saline agriculture is not easy.
The inhabitants of the many islands that make up the Sunderbans have
lived here for many centuries. They are familiar with the ways of the
tiger whom they call Southern Landlord. It is believed by all that
calling the tiger by its name will make it very angry. Thus other names
are used. Those that do not grow crops in this area are either
fishermen or they collect honey. The fishermen use small trawlers which
make a lot of noise. As a result they have to keep away from the
forest's edge. The tiger is always careful about noises that come from
the water. Many fishermen have been dragged into the thickets by the
tiger while taking a dip in the brackish water. The honey-collectors
are called Mouli. They form groups as they enter the forest. Their
problems are two-fold. They may be eaten by the tiger or stung badly by
angry bees.
Gosub is a small village in the Sunderbans. Most of the men in this
island-village collect honey. This honey is sold in the markets of
Calcutta. Their methods are simple. They form large groups consisting
of men only. The men wear very light clothing. They wear masks with
human faces drawn on them on the back of the head. They believe that
this makes the tiger think that they are staring at him directly. And
that is believed to make him very afraid. The group picks a spot in the
forest where they burn strong-smelling incense. The smell drives the
bees out of their abodes. The honey is then collected directly from the
hives.
It's a Sunday today. A honey-collecting expedition had started
yesterday afternoon. The group that entered the jungle had ten married
men. Their wives are all very worried indeed and are gathered in the
centre of the village. The children are playing nearby. In the whole
village there is only one television. Someone suggests that they should
watch the ten am news. The advice is accepted. They all troop to the
Gosub Club where the tv is switched on. A lady is reading the news. As
she starts speaking the whole village becomes silent. An earthquake has
occurred in central India. Thirty people have died so far. The tv
screen fills up with tons of rubble. Injured children are seen crying.
The whole affair makes everyone sad. Just then there is a loud noise,
that of thunder. As everyone looks out towards the sky they notice
something else. The Moulis of Gosub, the honey-collectors are entering
the village from the side of the jungle. Everyone is relieved. The
breadwinners are back.
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