West Bengal

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Horseshoe crab: The granddaddy of sea creatures needs help

The horseshoe crab, found in waters off Odisha and West Bengal, is one of the oldest living animals on the planet. It is disappearing now and we are responsible for it.

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Old well lone lifeblood for water-parched Bengal village

Residents of a remote village in rural Bengal accuse administrative apathy for their woes, asking why they were left out when all neighbouring villages have piped water supply.

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Horseshoe crab – the living fossil on brink of extinction

It has been living for 450 million years and has survived five mass extinctions, but the horseshoe crab is now in danger because of overexploitation of marine resources by humans.

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Bay leaf brings aroma to lives in Bengal

The bay leaf that adds flavour to many a dish is an attractive source of livelihood for thousands of villagers in northern Bengal.

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Bengal’s dwindling Dhimal community battles odds

Dhimal, a small vanishing ethnic group in West Bengal, is looking to the government to sustain their distinct heritage and language.

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FTLO art, visit this West Bengal village

Country folks from a rugged, tree-lined rural corner of West Bengal that only a handful had ever heard of have transformed their village into one giant art project.

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What’s a tiger reserve without a safari?

The tiny, off-grid destination in North Bengal’s Buxa tiger reserve is a paradise for nature lovers, but its tourism-dependent residents are plagued by a mountain of problems.

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Novel elephant alarm: Bengal villagers turn to the bottle

Bengal farmers create an innovative method to save their paddy crops and prevent conflict between humans and rampaging elephants in a West Bengal village in the Jalpaiguri district.

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Bhapa pitha: The Bengali rural delicacy for winter mornings

The soft, sweet and savoury bhapa pitha is a favourite breakfast item for West Bengali villagers -- especially on the cold mornings – but the delicacy is losing steam because of rising material costs.

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The sweet success of a tea plucker-turned-dragon fruit farmer

Poverty followed Abha Toppo into marriage. So she readily gave up work on a poorly paid tea plantation to grow something she’d never heard of: dragon fruit. Though everyone told her it was too risky, she ploughed on and is now reaping the rewards.

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Conch seashell bangle makers losing their grip in Bengal

Worn by married Bengali women, conch shell bangles have long been part of Bengal’s tradition, but artisans are finding it difficult to keep their grip on their trade because of rising material costs.

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Lanterns of Bishnupur fading into darkness

The lantern industry of Bishnupur in West Bengal that once sustained hundreds of artisans is on the verge of fading out thanks to the rising cost of raw materials, never mind more affordable electricity.

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Overproduction leads to distress sale of cauliflower in Bengal

Vegetable farmers in West Bengal suffer huge losses due to a surplus of cauliflower, never mind high fertiliser and labour costs.

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She thought baul brings poverty, today she is a baulini of international acclaim

Having seen her father eke out a living, Rina Das Baul disliked the idea of marrying a baul singer, fearing a likely poverty-stricken life. But her husband not only encouraged her to learn baul music, but got her to perform with him, which eventually took her to international stages.

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Universal Brotherhood: Baul festival of mystic minstrels enchants Bengal village

A three-day annual festival of Baul mystic minstrels enchants audiences with their songs of love and unity in the East Bardhaman district of West Bengal.

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Murshidabad children set example in local governance

Children in remote parts of Murshidabad district in West Bengal are taking an active role in community governance that not only lets them tackle social ills at a tender age but also nurtures them as future community leaders