Beyond Rivers, Beneath the Surface:
A Water Odyssey To Benefit Tomorrow

Beyond Rivers, Beneath the Surface: A Water Odyssey To Benefit Tomorrow

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We began at the headwaters of the snowmelt and monsoon fed Teesta River in the Himalayas and traveled through diverse landscapes to reach the impressive Sundarbans Delta in the Bay of Bengal, covering 5,500 meters of elevation. Our mission is to share how the region is adapting to climate change through innovative water management practices and technologies.

Glaciers to Tides:
A Journalism Project to
Show Adaption to
Climate Change

Glaciers to Tides:
A Journalism Project to Show Adaption to Climate Change

The focus of this project is identifying pioneering water management initiatives in West Bengal and Sikkim. We are driven by questions about how communities adapt to shifting hydrological conditions, what innovative methods are employed to mitigate water-related risks, and whether West Bengal's water managers can serve as global exemplars. Our dedicated team comprises five graduate students from the School of Geography and the Environment who are enthusiastic about learning, exploring, and sharing our discoveries. Our research is anchored by our incredible network of regional partners. Their insights and pioneering approaches are the backbone of this project, ensuring its viability and impact.

6

weeks

5

graduate
students

2

states

5500

meters
altitude
traversed

Why West Bengal, India?

Why
West Bengal,
India?

Why West Bengal, India?

West Bengal is unlike any other region. It’s steeped in thousands of years of rich history and located on the largest and most populated delta in the world. From the Himalayan mountains to the Sundarbans coast, West Bengal is an epicentre of complexity and culture. It is also one of the fastest growing and warming areas in all of Asia.

With these challenges come truly inspiring pioneers in adaptation and resilience including our amazing partners DRCSC, DISHA, and researchers from Sikkim University, Kolkata University, Presidency University, Jadavpur University, Vidyasagar University, and Cultural Monks. We are certainly not the first and won’t be the last to document this region. Instead, we hope our legacy will be the partnerships we form and the awareness we can create through our outputs.

From the Himalayan glaciers to the world's largest delta, West Bengal is an area where natural forces have shaped the landscape. This region, steeped in rich history and vibrant culture, is among the earliest affected regions by climate change. In response, West Bengal has emerged as a front-runner in water management innovation, embodying resilience through adaption.

Photos by Maitheli Maitra, Prantik Mitra, Boudhayan Bardhan on Unsplash

Discovering Sikkim and West Bengal's Waters:

Discovering Sikkim
and West Bengal's Waters:

Teesta, Dwarakeswar, Kolkota
and Sundarbans

week 1-2

Sikkim

Traveled from Kolkata up to the Teesta River in the Himalayas, which is a glacier-fed, transboundary river system originating in Sikkim with a high rate of extreme climate events.

week 2-3

Jalpaiguri

Followed the Teesta River below the foothills of the Himalayas into the Jalpaiguri district of West Bengal to the border of Bangladesh.

week 3-4

Kolkata

Traveled south to Kolkata to explore water stories in West Bengal’s largest city and begin the journey to the Dwarakeswar catchment.

week 4-5

Dwarakeswar

Followed the Dwarakeswar River, which lies in a monsoon-fed river basin with perennial flooding but at risk of drought due to El Niño.

week 5-6

Sundarbans

Traveled to the Sundarbans river delta that contains the world’s largest mangrove forest and exploring water projects in the southern region of West Bengal.

our goals

Learn with us,
promote sustainable future

Through photo stories and film, we will highlight pioneering water management projects and share insights from regional experts. Our goal is to spark global conversations around sustainable water management in the context of climate change and inspire further innovation. Your support can help us shine a light on the remarkable achievements of this region, and amplify the impact of these initiatives across the world.