Women’s Resilience in the Coastal Sundarbans: A Multigenerational and Heritage-Rooted Visual Exploration

The Sundarbans, the world’s largest mangrove forest, is home to communities that have adapted to extreme climate vulnerabilities for generations. Women, in particular, play a crucial role in sustaining their families and preserving cultural traditions, yet their resilience often remains undocumented. This research aims to explore the multigenerational resilience of women in the coastal Sundarbans through a visual storytelling approach that blends artistic documentation, digital visualization, and qualitative research.

The study will employ mixed methods, including participatory visual storytelling (paintings, sketches, and documentary photography), semi-structured interviews, and archival research, to analyze how women navigate environmental risks while maintaining cultural heritage. The project will also examine how customary land tenure, state policies, and international agreements influence women’s risk perception and decision-making.

This research will contribute to heritage preservation, climate adaptation strategies, and gender-inclusive policy recommendations. The final outputs will include an artistic research book, a documentary film, and policy briefs to enhance awareness and advocacy efforts. The findings will serve as a catalyst for local and global discussions on climate resilience and cultural sustainability.

• Research Project