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Kamot
Love, grief and human shark expeditions in the Sundarbans

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Set against the haunting beauty of the Sundarbans, this book journeys into a world where myth, memory, science, and human vulnerability flow together like the waters of the delta itself. Raj Sekhar Aich brings readers into intimate proximity with the enigmatic Kamot— sharks of the Sundarbans whose presence is rarely seen yet deeply felt in scars, stories, and silence. Through encounters with women whose lives have been irrevocably shaped by shark bites, and communities living on the precarious threshold between land, forest, and river, Aich explores a powerful and rarely told narrative of human–animal entanglement. Blending anthropology, ecology, emotion, and lived experience, he shifts between analytical inquiry and lyrical introspection, revealing the complex realities of coexistence: fear and reverence, grief and endurance, destruction and hope. This is not merely a study of conflict but an exploration of love—for people, for animals, for fragile ecosystems, and for the possibilities of healing. It is also a deeply personal journey, tracing the author’s own struggles, questions, and transformations as he searches for meaning alongside those who must live with danger as a daily companion. Provocative, compassionate, and profoundly human, this book challenges how we see nature, “conflict,” and ourselves. It asks what it truly means to live among predators, to carry wounds both visible and invisible, and to imagine futures where care, knowledge, and dignity might coexist with the wild forces that shape our lives.
 

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Human- shark conflict of Sundarbans

            Beyond that mucky grey waters of Sundarbans, two species are engage in the struggle to survive for more than a hundred years. the humans and the Kamot, the local name for sharks of Sundarbans. There are hundred of cases of shark attacks that has never been documented academically, neither do we know much about the lives of the large predatory sharks in the region, who are loosing their waterscapes and lives because of severe anthropogenic effects. This is the first ever academic expedition on human-shark interactions of Sundarbans the Kamot. The articles and the book on the topic are coming out by the end of the year. 

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Human- shark conflict advisor

Love loss and shark attacks of Sundarbans

At the last day of the year... A heart to heart interview of my understanding about the human-shark conflict and my research in the Sundarbans by the upcoming brilliant documentary maker Ayush Ray

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I am the human animal conflict advisor (volunteer) for Sundarban tiger widow welfare society (govt Rgstd). My work is to not only advice about sustainable support for the women, but also research and conservation advice about the sharks through STWWS. If you have any question, suggestion of support for the animal attack effected women of the Sundarban. Please get in touch.  

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Ladies and gentlemen as you know, we have set on to create a sustainable living solution for the women of Sundarbans have suffered animal bites- through creating the first handicraft products from Sundarbans, starting off with terracotta dolls of tigers, sharks, and crocodiles. In August we are going to Sundarban, with five young artist and have a 4 day art workshop With the women in the region who have experience with pottery, and support them come up with their own interpretation of these animal totems. We going to go back again in September to build a kiln, and support them in firing the art pieces. Beginning of November we will be heading back one last time to inaugurate shop we are hiring in Pakhiraloy, where these handmade items will be sold. At the same time, we hope to organize and exhibition of their work in November in Kolkata and would be delighted to have your gracious presence. Because of our generous donor we have all but arranged the money for all these activities including accommodation and food for theses artis from Kolkata, and the Sundarbans (the women) for these long sessions, hiring the shop space, furniture for the shop, hiring a place to maintain the kiln, and other peripheral matters. We still are running a bit short on money for the activities of the show and some other short matters. WE WOULD APPRECIATE ANY FINANCIAL OR LOGISTICAL SUPPORT with this project, and further support in how these products can be further marketed to the rest of Kolkata, and possibly the country. EVERY BIT HELPS.


Sundarban animal attack women sustainability project

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Publications

  • Aich, R. S., & Chakraborty, P. . (2022). Kamot: The first academic investigation of human-shark conflict in Sundarbans. TRACE ∴ Journal for Human-Animal Studies, 8. https://doi.org/10.23984/fjhas.110497

  • Aich, R. S. (2020). Human shark conflict in Sundarban. Sudu Sundarban Charcha (Bengali magazine), 48–50.

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©2021 by Dr. Raj Sekhar Aich. 

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