Two of the world’s mightiest rivers - the Ganga and the Brahmaputra - flow into the Bay of Bengal through a vast system of distributaries that form the largest delta on the planet. This delta is covered by a lush and dense mangrove forest system, called Sundarban - Bengali for “Beautiful Forest”. A part of this forest has been declared a Tiger Reserve.

The growing human population dependent on the natural resources of the Sundarbans is now taking its toll on this last great stronghold of the tiger in India. WPSI’s Sundarban Project tackles this problem by harnessing the local people as supporters of the Tiger Reserve, rather than its opponents, because co-existence, rather than competition and confrontation, is the only way to secure the survival for this fragile environment.

WPSI provides an anti-poaching patrol boat, communication facilities, and enforcement training, and help a local NGO with a small tiger conservation awareness centre on Bali Island, on the edge of the Reserve.

We have also filed a Public Interest Litigation on the threats faced by the Reserve. Under its Workshop Project, WPSI holds seminars and legal workshops to educate and update members of the enforcement agencies, lawyers, and the judiciary.