Story of Sunderbans from a Tigress (Asawari)
Hello, I am Lilly, Royal Bengal Tigress. I live in Sunderbans, West Bengal. My home is in the Mangrove forest. I like to eat Dears and wild Boars. My friends are crocodiles and water monitor lizards and even crabs. There are many birds in my jungle whom I like – some of them are black capped Kingfisher, Dunlin, Drongo, egret, etc.

When we tigress give birth we are scared to stay in the jungle. Tigers may eat our cubs. Since humans cut down trees to make homes – jungles have become smaller. As the jungle is small we cannot hide in the jungle – so we have to go towards the village.
If we go into the village, the forest department catches us or sometimes villagers try to kill us.

When I went to the village, I saw humans living in huts. They were fishing and farming. They are eating fish, prawns, lobsters and eggs, while I hunt and eat deer and wild boars. They are using boats, cycle rickshaws, cycles or motorcycles to move around, while I use by legs.
They keep domestic animals as pets for different uses example - cow for milk, hen for eggs and meat, sheep/ goats for milk and meat etc. I am hungry; I want to eat one of these animals.
I don’t need any entertainment, but the humans want entertainment. They are having fun organise and watching cock fights. They see TV, listen to music, watch movies, keep pets (like parakeets) and talk on their mobiles. There is no electricity just like the forest. But some have started using solar light.

Sunderbans spreads over two countries – India and Bangladesh.
I feel the two countries should not say this land is mine you can’t come. We should be friends and enjoy the beauty of Sunderbans.