Drifting in the Waters of Sundarbans
Sundarbans (21°31′00″ N – 22°30′00″ N, 88°10′00″ E – 89°51′00″ E) located on the souther fringe of the state of West Bengal is unlike any other forest of India. This is a primordial landscape where the lay of the land changes with every tide.
Here you don’t undertake safaris on jeep and elephants and feel secure that the tiger won’t attack you. In Sudabans, tigers are known for killing man. Spread across 10,000 square kilometres in India and Bangaldesh and its sheer vastness of Sundarbans with water everywhere lined by mangroves evokes awe. There are 60 species of mangrove and mangrove associates in Sundarbans with each species flowering at a different time of the year.
Mangroves are 4 times more efficient in carbon sequestration than other tree species. As we reach Sundarbans, one can immediately feel the difference in the air that we breathe in. Mangroves also have a major role is stopping soil erosion as well as stopping storm surge. It is estimated that the service provided by Sundarbans Tiger Reserve (STR) in moderating cyclones is worth Rs.27.5 crore per annum.
Monitor lizards are effective predators of young birds
Sundarbans is a biodiversity treasure trove. It has at least 1586 species of Protozoa and Animalia apart from 69 floral species belonging to 29 families. Mangroves are rich breeding grounds for fish and economic value of fish caught in Sundarbans Tiger reserve is estimated at Rs. 160 crores per annum. Sundarbans Tiger Reserve has a carbon stock of 22.38 million tonnes. The net biosphere-atmosphere exchange of Carbon in Sundarbans is estimated at 2.79 tonnes per hectare per annum. Assuming this rate of Carbon sequestration across the entire forest area (1538 sq. km) of STR, annual quantity of carbon sequestered in STR is estimated at 0.43 million tonnes. Using social cost of Carbon for India the total economic value of Carbon sequestered in STR is estimated at Rs.46.21 crore per annum. In an era of climate change, these are significant figures and reminds us why Sundarbans need to be protected. You won’t protect something which you won’t love. And you won’t love something, which you haven’t experienced.
Why The Film: Drifting in the Waters of Sundarbans
To make people experience this primordial landscape, we have created the one hour film “Drifting in the Waters of Sundarbans”. Through this film, we take you on a one hour relaxing virtual boat ride through the mangroves of Sundarbans. You listen to the sounds of birds, soft sound of flowing water, wild blowing on the leaves of mangroves, crocodiles basking in the mud flats and then sliding into water, deers peacefully grazing and many more to relax. This film is aimed to give you a raw feel of being there in the heart of nature as we experience during our explorations. So there is no human voice to disturb you nor is there any composed music. All you hear are the natural sounds. Just watch or play it in the background so that you can hear the sounds and tell us if after a period of time whether you are feeling relaxed and sleepy or not. You can even close your eyes and listen with headphones the soft sounds to relax your soul.
Research studies have shown that Natural sounds improve health, increase positive affect, and lower stress and annoyance. Simply listening to natural sounds results in decrease in mortality rates and stress and improves mental health, cognitive performance and even birth outcomes. So listen as well as play it for your loved ones.
Sundarbans is not only a place worthy of visit for clicking selfies. Sundarbans changes you without you knowing.
Shot with Canon Cinema C300, Canon 1DXII and Go Pros.
Duration: 60 mins
Resolution: 1080 25p
Credits:
Direction, Cinematography, Editing: Sabyasachi Patra
“B” Camera & Sound: (Late) Mrudul Godbole
Sound Design: Sabyasachi Patra
Special Thanks to: Saktipada Panigrahi
© Wild Tiger Productions MMXXIII
Drifting in the Waters of Sundarbans is now streaming in Tubi
Tubi is a free ad supported streaming platform owned by Fox. One can watch films for free in Tubi. In 2022, the revenue of Tubi was 700 million US Dollars. Drifting in the waters of Sundarbans is now live in Tubi and people in USA and Mexico can watch it. It is geofenced for other geographies.
https://tubitv.com/movies/100005184/drifting-in-the-waters-of-sundarbans
Streaming in Discovered TV
Drifting in the waters of Sundarbans is now live in Discovered TV.
https://discovered.tv/watch/ZajlZmt0ZNnn
Sabyasachi is available for Hire as a DP for shoots any where in India.
- Water Monitor Lizard in Sundarbans - 14 May,2025
- Radio collared Tigress - 30 January,2025
- Elephant: An Unwanted God - 16 January,2025
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