By Mukut Biswas, Founder and Managing Trustee, Prameya Foundation.
The Sundarban is as wild and ruthless as nature can be, and as enchanting as you may imagine. But apart from its unique geology, what fascinates me every time – is its people – its brave and resilient men and women whose lives are dictated by the rhythms and force of the tides, by their relation to the mud, mangroves, and to the animals that surround them. Yet today we are witnessing this world falling apart and a deluge fast approaching. The already marginalized people of the Sundarbans are bearing the consequences and paying the price for something they are not responsible for. Climate change is, among other things, an unjust assault on the poor. More than three million people out of the 4.5 million inhabitants are Dalits, Adivasis, and the most backward Muslim communities who are forest dependent: peasants, fisher folk, and forest produce collectors. Besides, they already carry a long history of exploitation, displacement, and historical injustice.
Against this backdrop of fragility and inequity, the Sundarban mangrove forests stand as a mighty shield. Their dense roots and sprawling canopies absorb the impact of cyclones, temper the rising seas, and protect millions of lives and livelihoods—not only in the islands but also in Kolkata, the great city that lies just beyond. Each storm that is softened, each tide that is held back, is a reminder that these mangroves are not just trees but living guardians, a natural barrier holding catastrophe at bay. Beyond their protective role, the Sundarbans mangrove ecosystem also assumes a critical role in climate change mitigation. They are net absorbers of greenhouse gases, with a higher potential for atmospheric carbon absorption than even the Amazon rainforest. They breathe in the carbon and toxic fumes of the Kolkata metropolis, quietly cleansing the air we depend on. But we must not overburden them—already stretched by rising seas, erosion, and human pressures. To preserve the mangroves is to preserve both nature’s resilience and the dignity of the people who call this tide country their home.
When the Sundarban Tramjatra team visited us earlier this year, it was much more than an event—it was a meeting of hearts, ideas, and shared dreams for the future. At Premaya, our work has always been rooted in the belief that community-led initiatives are the strongest pathways to resilience. The Tramjatra journey gave us a way to bring this belief alive with colour, performance, and creativity.
The team’s visit to our mangrove restoration and conservation sites was deeply meaningful. Together, we walked among the young mangrove trees that have taken root in the erosion prone soil, a living reminder of both the vulnerability and strength of the Sundarbans. These conversations, set against the tidewaters and mangrove roots, created a space to connect science, art, traditional ecological knowledge and lived reality in ways that touched everyone present.
But it was the event at the Prameya Pathshala-our community education centre, had truly captured the spirit of Tramjatra. Children from our Prameya Pathshala, along with their parents and other villagers, gathered with excitement to join the STJ conductors, Roberto D’Andrea, Anthony Graham and Sajal Mondal. Songs, stories, and plays unfolded, weaving together messages of climate action, biodiversity, and cultural pride. The cards and tickets distributed by the conductors became treasures in the hands of the children. To this day, they are kept safe in their schoolbags or at home—symbols of joy, learning, and the special bonds formed that day. For our team, too, they are reminders of the energy and solidarity that Tramjatra inspires.
The Climate Tiger and biodiversity cards, in particular, have taken on a life of their own in our classrooms. Teachers use them to spark discussions on the role of tigers in balancing ecosystems, the interdependence of species, and the urgency of conservation in a changing climate. The children respond with stories, drawings, and even try small performances of their own—keeping the spirit of Tramjatra alive long after the trams rolled away.
For our community, Tramjatra was not just an event. It was a bridge: between art and action, between Kolkata and the Sundarbans, and between our local struggles and global climate conversations. As we look forward to Melbourne, we carry this experience with us—the laughter of children, the wisdom of elders, and the promise that creativity can light the way toward resilience and hope.
Best, Mukut
Name & Title: Mukut Biswas, Founder and Managing Trustee, Prameya Foundation
Brief Bio: Born in Kolkata in 1993, Mukut is a practicing lawyer by profession. His passion for environmental conservation and community-led sustainable development initiatives inspired him to found Prameya Foundation with his friends Sabyasachi, Arunava and Dipanjan during his college days in 2016.
Prameya Foundation website: www.prameyafoundation.org.
