UPCOMING PROJECT - VANISH
In 2006, oceanographers studying satellite images of the Gangetic delta in the Bay of Bengal discovered that several inhabited islands had permanently "disappeared." It became international news overnight.
Several theories have been put forward as to why exactly this phenomena occurred. But when other islands in the south Pacific also began "disappearing," rising sea levels due to global warming were blamed.
I am here in the Sunderbans to photograph the men and women of Ghoramara and Lohachora islands, taking them back to where their little corner of the world disappeared. Swallowed up by the sea forever.
Amina Bibi, 55. Environmental refugee. Sagar Island.
Nearly two-thirds of Ghoramara island has disappeared in the last 10 years, swallowed by the sea.
Efforts to build a "sea wall" to protect against sea water erosion have proved futile, mainly due to poor planning and execution.
Protap Das, 42, stands on what remains of his house on Ghoramara island.
Angur Bala, 70. Desperately clings on to 0.5 acres of fallow land high in salt content. Sea water has eroded away 80% of her land.
Farmer Sukumar Ghorai became an environmental refugee in 2006. Forced to migrate in search of work, he now lives a 1000 miles away from his family, in Kerela, where he works in construction. He sends money home once a month, via a local ration shop owner who has a bank account.
Remains of the former jetty on Sagar Island, destroyed during cyclone Ayla.