Sundarbans Women Rescue Snakes, Save Lives in Delta

When a snake slithered into a home in Dulki village, Madhushree Das didn't hesitate. She rushed over, calmed the frightened family, safely captured the reptile, and handed it to the Forest Department.

Madhushree is one of 99 prokriti bondhus (friends of nature) trained by WWF-India to handle wildlife emergencies in the Sundarbans. The programme launched in June 2022 after staff noticed locals spontaneously helping wildlife return safely to the forest whenever tigers or other animals wandered into villages.

The Sundarbans spans 10,000 square kilometers of mangrove forest, home to 50 reptile species and 30 mammal species. But living alongside this biodiversity comes with real danger.

Around 300 people have died from tiger attacks since 2000. Snake bites claim even more lives, with Dr. Arunoday Mondal reporting about 30 deaths annually in his area alone, despite government anti-venom supplies.

Before the programme, panicked villagers would often kill snakes on sight or wait hours for Forest Department officials to arrive. Many snakes died needlessly, and some people suffered fatal bites while waiting for help.

Now trained volunteers like Madhushree respond within minutes. They've learned to identify species, handle snakes safely, read animal tracks, and use digital tools to conduct wildlife surveys.

The programme particularly empowers women who were previously confined to household tasks. Madhushree says being known as a prokriti bondhu makes her feel important and valued by both neighbors and forest officials.

Why This Inspires

This story shows how the best conservation solutions come from within communities themselves. By training local residents who already cared about protecting their home, WWF-India created a rapid response network that saves both human and animal lives.

The volunteers bridge the gap between fearful villagers and overwhelmed forest officials. Their intimate knowledge of the landscape, combined with professional training, means faster responses and better outcomes for everyone.

These women are proving that protecting nature doesn't require choosing between people and wildlife. With the right skills and support, communities can keep both safe.

The programme is transforming the Sundarbans from a place where fear drove deadly encounters into one where trained neighbors help humans and wildlife coexist peacefully.