Project Description:

Sundarbans is world largest, famous mangrove forest in the world and declared World Heritage by UNESCO. From the ancient time a lot of peoples living depends on Sundarbans resources. But most of them frequently attacked by Royal Bengal Tiger and their wives become most vulnerable community. in one hands when peoples attack by any wild animal they could not get any kind of compensate from the government though the forest peoples pay revenue to the government. This kind of situation of other country, like India, Sri-Lanka, Thailand can get compensate for the government.

On the other hand, the wives are blamed for their husband’s death and they known as ill luck (ALAKHI). More then 10,000 young widows living at the side of Sundarbans. They could not get marry again though they known as ill luck. Most of them could not stay their Father’s-in-laws house. They were torched by physically and mentally by the other family member. For that maximum of the widows staying their parents house, river char (public property) and other peoples land. This project contributes the national and local level policy actor to allocate government contribution to the victims of the wild animals.

For social stigma the widows could not get the social services. Though they are like out cast in the community, peoples like to avoid them. For that local elected peoples have to avoid them because of the next election. As a result the widows could not enlist of the government services. They also could not go to social festivals. They are living hand to mouth and their children could not go to school because they are earning for families. Thus their next generations have to bound to be a forest resources collector, have to face the challenging work in Sundarbans. They have no drinking water access, could not buy food and fetching malnutrition. Each year a lot of widows going to cities for begging.

Update from the field: April 2011

A. Six tiger widows self-help group formed in the working area with a strong executive board. The self-help group leaders form an association name AKOTA (Unity).

B. 40 widows received IGA training on small trading, crab fattening, fish and vegetable culture, etc. 100000 taka donated to the self help groups last year and 25 widows received micro-finance from their self-help groups. Besides this 45 widows are received training and equipment of saline tolerant vegetable gardening and seedling.

C. LEDARS is constructing 50 Bio-sand filters to distribute among the widows. Besides this 2 rain water harvesting system constructed last year where 15 widows families receiving drinking water.

D. One child learning center set up last year and 30 children studied there. Now they are admitted to the Government primary school and LEDARS is providing them their private tuition support. Besides this LEDARS is providing education sponsorship to widows children.

E. Government is allocating government cash land for 57 land-less widows.
 

Update from the field: October 2010

We are pleased to let you know that the Government of Bangladesh approves the Wildlife Victims Support Act 2010 today (25.10.10). According to the law the victims family (dead) will get 1 lack taka, Injured family 50,000 taka and for damage of crop 25,000.

As it is a great success for the movement of tiger victims widows in the Sundarbans adjacent area. Our widows organizations were showing their demand for compensate since 2007. We now demanding to all of you to followup implementation of this act.

We are grateful to Action Aid Bangladesh and Niagara Volunteer for Bangladesh to financially support of this campaign and all of you who support peoples demands.
 

Update from the field: October 2010

45 widows are received training and equipment of saline tolerant vegetable gardening in the extreme saline zone. The widows have received saline seedling of tolerant tree.

Training on Women Rights and Leadership provided to the group leaders. The self-help group leaders form an association name AKOTA (Unity).

Children of widows are continue their learning in the child learning center. One rich man provide them the dress. The children of widows determine to go the primary school next year.

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Update from the field: May 2010

The tiger widows of the sundarbans adjacent area are determined that they have the power to change the society, government and also the world. 120 widows are organized now. Six self-help groups have been formed with a strong executive board. The widows set up one child learning center where the working children of widows are studying. 20 widows received the training on small business management and doing Income Generating Activities with their small capital. Seven community meeting organized where 335 community people attained and sensitize about tiger widows.

After formation of the self-help group, they are moving forward to claiming their rights to the local government and other agencies. The children of tiger widows now going school. 30 working children are engage with none formal primary education. They are hopping to go the Government Primary School in the coming year.

Update from the field: November 2009

Widows are moving forward for their rights

The widows of the tiger victims moving for ensure security of their livelihood. Under the project there have 6 self-help groups of tiger widows formed in Shyamnagar Sub-district of Satkhira District. A total 156 widows are organized. Till 15 November 4 bank account of the self-help group opened at the Bangk and they are operating bank account. One training session organized on Crab –fattening (one of the most viable income generating activities) 26 widows received the training. 34 widows received training on tailoring and have established their small shop in the locality.

A study conducted by LEDARS in Shyamnagar Sub-district on increasing tiger attack in Sundarbans. LEDARS have oriented lots of national and international journalist and also high level government officials about the tiger victim’s widows.

After AILA (cyclone) LEDARS provided emergency relief and also established a relationship to the local government for creating access to the public services. 35% of the widow’s families have access to the sanitation facilities.

The widow’s self-help group demanded to the local authority for access to the public property (khasland) and submitted 57 applications to the relevant authority for permanent settlement.