Collaborative photography, Sundarbans, India (2014-2024)

The exhibit showcases collaborative photography created as part of research on climate change and uncertainty in the Indian Sundarbans, a unique ecosystem and UNESCO World Heritage site.  Researcher Shibaji Bose facilitated collaborative research with women and youth residing in the Indian Sundarbans for over a decade. In collaborative photography identification and selection of images that should be included by the photographers, is made through discussions with residential communities. The pictures emerged in the course of social science research projects  and establish how uncertainty and climate change show up in their daily lives.  The Sundarbans is home to one of the largest mangrove forests in the world, providing a unique habitat of flora and fauna including the famous Bengal tiger. The area is also being devastated by cyclones, flooding, and land subsidence.

Thanks to:  John Hopkins, Institute of Development Studies (Projects: TAPESTRY and  Climate CHange and Uncertainty from Below  and Above  ), Norwegian University of Life Sciences  (Project: Climate CHange, Uncertainty and  Transformation  ) 

The Watchman (2014, Patharpratima Shibaji Bose and youth photovoice group) An adolescent is watching closely to check if the high tide levels do not overflow the earthen embankments.

Passages (2015, Shibaji Bose with Sagar women photovoice group)? Office workers returning to their island homes in the last ferry service. 

Have Land Can't Sow (2017, Shibaji Bose with Patharpratima youth photovoice group) Saline water inundating the agricultural fields and freshwater ponds is common in the Sundarbans. As a result, the fish in the ponds die and no agriculture is possible for at least three years.

The sea gives and takes (2015, Shibaji Bose with Kultoli youth photovoice group) The last remnants of a makeshift house being washed away by the currents. 

Swept (2018, Shibaji Bose with Sagar Island Youth photovoice group) A dead calf being taken for burial through a village swept away by a cyclone claiming 12 lives.