Socio-Economic Condition of Tiger Widows at Sundarbans, West Bengal: A Review

This review emphasizes the need for comprehensive policy interventions, including streamlined compensation processes, community education to reduce social stigma, mental health support, and sustainable livelihood programs to reduce dependence on forest resources. The Sundarbans, the world’s largest mangrove forest spanning India and Bangladesh, is not only home to the endangered Royal Bengal Tiger (Panthera tigris tigris) but also a socio-economically vulnerable human population. A tragic outcome of this coexistence is the emergence of "tiger widows"—women who have lost their husbands to tiger attacks during forest-dependent livelihood activities such as fishing, crab collection, and honey gathering. This review explores the multi-dimensional socio-economic challenges faced by these women, including poverty, social ostracism, and psychological trauma. Economic hardship remains a predominant issue, compounded by the lack of formal education, limited employment opportunities, and insufficient compensation mechanisms. Furthermore, entrenched cultural stigmas isolate these widows, exacerbating their vulnerability to exploitation. Psychological issues such as depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) are widespread but often neglected due to the absence of adequate mental health services.

To address these challenges, tiger widows have formed self-help groups (SHGs), advocating for collective empowerment through sustainable income-generating activities. Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have also played a vital role in securing legal compensation and providing mental health interventions. However, the reach of these initiatives remains limited. By highlighting the interplay between environmental conservation and human welfare, this review aims to contribute to the discourse on inclusive development strategies for the socio-economic upliftment of tiger widows in the Sundarbans.