Artist Maps 60 Species of Sundarbans in Folk Art Style

When visual designer Sudarshan Shaw set out to map the Sundarbans, he didn't reach for satellite imagery or digital tools. Instead, he picked up traditional folk art motifs of West Bengal and created something that captures both the wilderness and the soul of this incredible place.

The result is a hand-illustrated biodiversity map showcasing 60 endemic plant and animal species that call the Sundarbans home. But Shaw's work goes deeper than just flora and fauna.

The map weaves together the mangrove forest's twisted roots and salt-tolerant trees with scenes of daily life from the communities living along its edges. Fishers casting nets, honey collectors braving the forest, and families whose rhythms sync with the tides all find their place in this artistic celebration.

The Sundarbans sits where land meets the Bay of Bengal, forming one of the world's largest mangrove ecosystems. These forests act as nature's shield, protecting inland areas from devastating storms while providing habitat for an astonishing array of life.

Shaw's intricate illustrations bring this world to life in vivid detail. Kingfishers and herons dot the wetlands alongside migratory birds that travel thousands of miles to reach this avian sanctuary. Crocodiles glide through muddy creeks while spotted deer, wild boar, and even river dolphins navigate the tidal terrain.

And of course, the Royal Bengal tiger prowls at the heart of it all. These magnificent cats have uniquely adapted to swim and hunt in this waterlogged wilderness, becoming the living symbol of the delta's wild spirit.

Why This Inspires

In an age where AI-generated art floods the internet, Shaw's painstaking hand-drawn approach feels like an act of devotion. Every carefully placed brushstroke honors not just the biodiversity of the Sundarbans, but the cultural heritage of the people who've lived in harmony with it for generations.

The map was produced by Community Jameel in collaboration with Studio Kyaari, organizations committed to celebrating and protecting fragile ecosystems. By choosing folk art traditions rather than clinical scientific illustration, Shaw created something that speaks to both the head and the heart.

His work reminds us that conservation isn't just about protecting species. It's about honoring the living mosaic of biodiversity and culture that makes places like the Sundarbans irreplaceable.

The map now stands as both an educational tool and a call to action, inviting viewers to see this threatened delta through new eyes and commit to its protection.