Nurturing Futures: Early Childhood Care in the Sundarbans

 

Tucked between the confluence of the Ganges, Brahmaputra, and Meghna rivers, the Sundarbans is one of the world’s largest mangrove forests—a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its biodiversity and resilience. Yet behind this natural beauty lies a silent crisis: the vulnerable state of early childhood care for thousands of children growing up in one of India’s most ecologically sensitive and economically challenged regions.

Current situation

Early childhood care in the Sundarbans is shaped by a complex interplay of geography, poverty, climate vulnerability, and social factors. Children under six in this region face heightened risks due to natural disasters, malnutrition, limited healthcare, and educational gaps.

The first five years of a child’s life are critical. Brain development, emotional well-being, physical health, and social skills are largely shaped during this time. For children in the Sundarbans—many of whom face poverty, malnutrition, frequent displacement due to cyclones, and limited access to healthcare—early interventions can be life-changing.

Ghoramara island, located approximately 92 km south of Kolkata in the Sundarbans delta, is confronting severe environmental challenges due to climate change. Once spanning about 26 square kilometers, the island has diminished to roughly 6.7 square kilometers, primarily due to rapid coastal erosion and rising sea levels. This drastic reduction has led to a significant decrease in its population, from around 40,000 in the 1970s to approximately 5,193 residents as per the 2011 Census. Population of children with age 0-6 is 694 which makes up 13.36 % of total population of the island. Insufficient healthcare infrastructure and geographical challenges due to remoteness of the island adds to the plight of the children as the coastal area keeps facing repeated climatic shocks such as cyclones and floods. Children are mostly born without right antenatal care and are not sufficiently nourished during the first few months of their lives to suffer from undernutrition and related health problems. Preschool education here is usually handled by Anganwadis, but quality and reach are not enough considering the present scenario.

Malnutrition is a major concern, especially in fishing communities and landless labourers which constitutes more than 90% of the community here. Income is unstable and access to healthcare is limited due to remoteness and disaster-prone nature. High soil salinity, erratic monsoons and poverty restrict food production, leading to micronutrient deficiencies in children.

The Khashimara village
school destroyed due to erosion 

Seasonal migration in fishing communities affects consistent preschool attendance. Infrastructure in many centres is vulnerable to monsoons and cyclones, affecting continuity and shortage of trained caregivers add fuel to this. Children also face trauma, displacement, and anxiety, impacting their psychosocial development. Dearth of safe play spaces and structured group activities impairs social-emotional learning in young

Children.

Parental care plays a pivotal role in early childhood development, as a child's brain development, emotional health, and social skills are greatly influenced by early relationships with caregivers. In the Sundarbans, where families often rely on fishing, farming, and other subsistence activities, parental care gets affected by various socio-economic factors.

Challenges for Parents in the Sundarbans:

Economic pressures: Many parents in the Sundarbans face economic challenges, which limits the time, energy, and resources they devote to child-rearing.

Migration and displacement: Due to the cyclical nature of floods, storms, and displacement, parents are usually unable to provide stable caregiving in times of uncertainty.

Lack of formal education: Parents do not have access to information on child development, leading to less awareness about the importance of nurturing behaviours.

Cultural and social norms: Traditional gender roles also leads to disproportionate amount of caregiving responsibility on mothers, leaving them overburdened, while also limiting fathers’ involvement in early childhood development.

SEED, with financial support from SBI Foundation under the project “Muskaan”, has set up two Early Childhood Care Centres (ECCC) in Raypara village of Ghoramara and Radhakrishnapur village of Sagar Islands of Sundarban. These centres aim to provide comprehensive support to children aged 0–6 years from marginalized and displaced families. Here the children will be provided with-

Ø  Daily nutritious meals and fortified supplements.

Ø  Quarterly health screenings and micronutrient distribution (vitamin A & D and iron) and deworming.

Ø  Play-based pre-primary education focusing on foundational literacy and numeracy.

Ø  Parental workshops on child nutrition, early learning, and positive caregiving.
This initiative targets at least 100 children, with a special emphasis on supporting girls and children from SC, ST, and minority communities.

These children were selected followed by a baseline survey and need assessment by the experts. Quarterly growth and bi-annual health screenings (vision, hearing, dental & developmental screenings) will be conducted to improve health status. The children will be prepared for formal schooling with play-based pre-primary education process.

Program Goals:

Cognitive Development & Emotional Resilience

Target: 50% of children will benefit within one year.

Method: Through structured play, storytelling, and guided interactions, the program aims to foster both cognitive and emotional growth in the children.

Parental Education & Engagement

Target: Educate 70% of caregivers/mothers.

Method: Monthly workshops focusing on key areas: exclusive breastfeeding, child nutrition, early learning, and positive caregiving.

Outcome: Enhance maternal engagement by at least 15%.

Training and sensitization for parents, especially mothers, will be provided on the importance of early childhood care which can improve child development outcomes.

Training of the teachers 

Many areas in the Sundarbans lack access to advanced medical facilities and trained healthcare professionals, making it difficult for mothers to receive adequate prenatal, postnatal, and general health care.

Under this “Muskaan” Project, SEED will provide regular health checkups for mothers would be conducted along with psychological counselling to monitor their physical and mental health. Addressing postpartum depression (PPD) is crucial as it can affect both the mother and the baby. Health professionals, such as community health workers would be trained and involved in this programme to recognize signs of PPD and refer mothers for psychological counselling or therapy. The stresses of motherhood, combined with economic hardship and environmental concerns like frequent floods or cyclones can contribute to mental health issues. These counselling sessions will create safe spaces where mothers can talk about their mental health that can help to reduce anxiety, depression, and stress. The mothers will also be taught the coping strategies for dealing with the stress caused by environmental challenges, like floods or loss of livelihood, which can help them manage their emotions better.

The joyful learning Centre 

Achievements of this project will be assessed through a mid-term survey after one period after comparing these findings with those of the baseline survey.

Early childhood care in the Sundarbans is both a necessity and a challenge. The region's geographic isolation, frequent natural disasters, and limited infrastructure significantly hinder access to quality education, nutrition, and healthcare for young children. However, we are optimistic that early investment in childhood development can break this cycle of poverty and improve long-term outcomes for the communities. This collaborative approach will ensure that children in the Sundarbans receive the nurturing care and opportunities they need to thrive, laying a strong foundation for a resilient and empowered future generation.