Airo International Research Journal March, 2017 Volume X, ISSN: 2320-3714 Impact Factor 0.75 to 3.19

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Airo International Research Journal March, 2017 Volume X, ISSN: 2320-3714 Impact Factor 0.75 to 3.19

CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF BY AMITAV GHOSH’S “THE HUNGRY TIDE” P. Haritha Kumari Research Scholar, Mewar University, Dr. Kalyana Chakravarthi Thirunagari Mewar University Rajasthan

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ABSTRACT:

Sundarbans a difficult place to live for humans, but, at the same time, a unique habitat for fauna and flora. The mangrove swamps are dominant, and they provide the shelter for many species of animals, which are specific to the region or very rare in other areas. The example is the Royal Bengal Tiger, a man-eater featuring in “The Hungry Tide” together with several species of dolphins and deadly crocodiles.

The novel starts with the meeting of two mains characters, Piyali (Piya), an Indian-American field biologist specialized in dolphins, and Kanai a sophisticated interpreter and businessman, on the train to Canning. Piya has a plan to collect data on the life of the rare river dolphins, which are the subject of her research. Kanai was summoned by his aunt, Nilima, to the island of Lusibari (he spent there only one summer as a schoolboy), where she runs a charity, to get the package left to him in the will of his late uncle, Nirmal, a leftist schoolteacher with literary ambitions. Kanai is interested in Piya, and when they part in Canning, he invites her to Lusibari.

INTRODUCTION:

The freshwater swamp forests of 14,600 square kilometer (5,600 square are a tropical moist broadleaf forest eco- miles) of the vast Ganges-Brahmaputra region of and Bangladesh. It represents Delta, extending from India‟s West Bengal the brackish swamp forests that lie behind state into western Bangladesh. The the Sundarbans Mangroves where the Sundarbans freshwater swamp forest lie salinity is more pronounced. The freshwater between the upland Lower Gangetic plains eco-region is an area where the water is only moist deciduous forest and the brackish- slightly brackish and becomes quite fresh water Sundarbans mangroves bordering the during the rainy season, when the freshwater . plumes from the Ganges and Brahmaputra rivers push the intruding salt water out and The fertile soils of the delta have been also bring a deposit of silt. It covers an area subject to intensive human use for centuries,

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Airo International Research Journal March, 2017 Volume X, ISSN: 2320-3714 Impact Factor 0.75 to 3.19 and the ecoregion has been mostly converted Pandamus tectorius, Hibiscus tiliaeus, and to intensive agriculture, with few enclaves Nipa fruticans along the fringing banks. of forest remaining. The remaining forests, together with the Sundarbans mangroves, The Sundarbans Mangroves ecoregion is the are important habitat for the endangered world‟s largest mangrove ecosystem, with Bengal Tiger (Panthera tigris). In addition to 20,400 square kilometer (7,900 square the endangered tiger, there are several other miles) of area covered. Named after the threatened mammal species, such as the dominant mangrove species Heritiera fomes, capped langur (Semnopithecus pileatues), locally known as sundry, it lies in the vast smooth-coated other (Lutrogale delta formed by the confluence of the perspicillata), Oriental small-clawed otter Ganges, Brahmaputra, and Meghna rivers (Aonyx cinerea), and great Indian civet across southern Bangladesh and Indian state (Viverra zibetha). The eco-region also of West Bengal. This is the only mangrove contains the leopard (Panthera pardus) and ecoregion that harbors the Indo-Pacific several smaller predators such as the jungle region‟s largest predator, the Bengal Tiger. cat (Felis chaus), fishing cat (Prionailurus Unlike in other habitats, here tigers live and viverrinus), and leopard cat (Prionailurus swim among the mangrove islands, where bengalensis). they hunt scare prey such as chital deer (Cervus axis), barking deer (Munticacus This ecoregion is nearly extinct, the victim muntjak), wild pig (Sus scrofa), and even of large-scale clearing and settlement to macaques (Macaca mulatta). Mangroves are support one of the densest human population a transition from the marine to freshwater in Asia. Hundreds of years of habitation and and terrestrial systems. They provide critical exploratation by one of the world‟s densest habitat for numerous species of fishes and human populations have exacted a heavy toll crustaceans that are adapted to live, of this eco-region‟s habitat and biodiversity. reproduce, and spend their juvenile lives There are two protected areas – Narendrapur among the tangled mass of roots, known as (110 square km) and Ata Danga Baor (20 pneumatophores, that grow upward from the square km) that cover a mere 130 square km anaerobic mud to get the trees‟ supply of of the eco-region. Habitat loss in the eco- oxygen. region is so extensive, and the remaining habitat is so fragmented, that it is difficult to Mangroves are not diverse compared with ascertain the composition of the original most other terrestrial ecosystem. The vegetation of this eco-region. According to undisturbed forests have an unstratified, Champion and Seth (1968), the freshwater dense canopy and an undergrowth made up swamp forests are characterized by Heritiera of seedlings and saplings of the canopy minor, Xylocarpus molluccensis, Bruguiera trees. In the Sundarbans, the mangrove conjugate, Sommeratia apetala, Avicennia forests are characterized by Sundari, a officinalis, and Sonneratia caseolaris, with species valued for its timer. Other species that make up the forest assemblage include

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Airo International Research Journal March, 2017 Volume X, ISSN: 2320-3714 Impact Factor 0.75 to 3.19

Avicennia spp., Xylocarpus mekongensis, Sajnakhali is large enough to support a Xylocarpus granatum, Sonneratia apetala, space-dependent species such as the tiger. Bruguiera gymnorrhiza, Cereops decandra, Aegiceras corniculatum, Rhizophora Mudflats in Sundarbans mucronata, and Nypa fruticans palms. The physical development processes along Several predators dwell in this labyrinth of the coast are influenced by a multitude of channels. Two species of crocodiles – factors, comprising wave motions, micro Crocodylus porosus and Crocodylus and macro-tidal cycles and long shore palustris – dwell here, as well as the current typical to the coastal tract. The shore Gangetic gavial Gavialis gangeticus), and currents vary greatly along with the the water monitor lizard VAramus salvator) . These are also affected by use both land and water to hunt and bask in. cyclonic action. Erosion and accretion sharks and the Gangetic freshwater dolphins through these forces maintains varying Platanista gangetica) inhabit the waterways. levels, as yet not properly measured, of And several birds of prey patrol the sky physiographic change whilst the mangrove overhead. More cyptic but equally vegetation itself provides a remarkable fascinating are the mudskippers, a gobioid stability to the entire system. During each fish that clims out of the water into mudflats monsoon season almost all the Bengal Delta and even clims trees. An abundance of is submerged, much of it for half a year. The crabs, hermit crabs, and shrimp scavenge sediment of the lower delta plain is among the roots. primarily advected inland monsoonal coastal As Bangladesh supports one of the world‟s setup and cyclonic events. One of the highest human population densities, the greatest challenges people living on the population pressure resulted in half of this may face in coming years is ecoregion‟s mangrove forests cut down to the threat of rising sea levels caused mostly supply the feulwood and other natural by subsidence in the region and partly by resources extracted from these forests by climate change. this large population. Despite the intense In many of the Indian mangrove wetlands, and large-scale exploration, the ecoregion freshwater reaching the mangroves was still is one of the largest contiguous areas of considerably reduced from the late 19th mangroves in the world. There are seven century due to diversion of freshwater in the protected areas – Sajnakhali (2,090 squar upstream area. Also, the Bengal Basin is km), Sundarbans East (210 squar km), Char slowly tilting towards the east due to neo- Kukri-Mukri (30 squar km), Sundarbans tectonic movement, forcing greater South (200 squar km), Sundarbans West freshwater input to the Bangladesh (130 squar km), Halliday Island(4 squar Sundarbans. As a result, the salinity of the km), Lothian Island (20 squar km) – that Bangladesh Sundarbans is much lower than cover almost 2,700 squar km, or 15 percent that of the Indian Sundarbans. A 1990 study of the ecoregion. Among these only

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Airo International Research Journal March, 2017 Volume X, ISSN: 2320-3714 Impact Factor 0.75 to 3.19 noted that there “is no evidence that Rhizophoraceae are of minor importance. environmental degradation in the Differences in vegetation have been or a „greenhouse‟ induced rise in sea level explained in terms of freshwater and low have aggravated floods in Bangladesh”: salinity influences in the Northeast and however, a 2007 report by UNESCO, “Case variations in drainage and siltation. The Studies on Climate Change and World Sundarbans has been classified as a moist Heritage” has stated that an anthropogenic tropical forest demonstrating a whole 45-cm rise in sea level (likely by the end of mosaic of seres, comprising primary the 21st century, according to the colonization on new accretions to more intergovernmental Panel on Climate mature beach forests, often conspicuously Change), combined with other forms of dominated by Keora (ISonneratia apetala) anthropogenic stress on the Sundarbans, and tidal forests. Historically three principal could lead to the destruction of 75% of the vegetation types have been recognize in Sundarbans mangroves. broad correlation with varying degrees of water salinity, freshwater flushing and Flora physiography and which are represented in the wildlife sanctuaries: The Sundarbans flora is characterized by the abudance of Heritiera fomes, Excoecaria Sundari and Gewa occur prominently agallocha, Ceriops decandara and Sonneratia throughout the area with discontinuous apetala. A total 245 genera and 334 plant distribution of Dhundul (Xylocarpus species were recorded by David Prain in granatum) and Kankra. Among grasses and 1903. since Prain‟s report there have been Palms, Poresia coaractata, Myriostachya considerable changes in the status of various wightiana, Imperata cylindrical, Phragmites mangrove species and taxonomic revision of karka, Nypa fruticans are well distributed. the man-grove flora. However, very little Keora is an indicator species for newly exploration of the botanical nature of the accreted mudbanks and is an important Sundarbans has been made to keep up with species for wildlife, especially spotted deer these changes. Whilst most of the (Axis axis). Besides the forest, there are mangroves in other parts of the world are extensive areas of brackish and freshwater characterized by members of the marshes, intertidal mudflats, sandflats, sand Rhizophoracease, Avicenneaceae or dunes with typical dune vegetation, open Laganculariaceae, the mangroves of grassland on sandy soils and raised areas Bangladesh are dominated by the supporting a variety of terrestrial shrubs and Sterculiaceae and Euphorbiaceae. trees.

The Bangladesh mangrove vegetation of the Succession is generally defined as the Sundarbans differs greatly from other non- successive occupation of a site by different deltaic coastal mangrove forest and upland plant communities. In an accreting mudflats forest associations. Unlike the former, the the outer community along the sequence

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Airo International Research Journal March, 2017 Volume X, ISSN: 2320-3714 Impact Factor 0.75 to 3.19 represents the pioneer community which is management. The Sundarbans were home to gradually replaced by the next community approximately 500 Bengal tigers in 2004, representing the seral stages and finally by a one of the largest single population of tigers. climax community typical of the climatic zone. Troup suggested that succession began The Sundarbans provide a unique ecosystem in the newly accreted land created by fresh and wildlife habitat. The river terrapin deposits of eroded soil. (Batagur baska), Indian flap-shelled turtle (Lissemys punctata), peacock soft-shelled The pioneer vegetation on these newly turtle (Trionyx hurum), yellow monitor accreted site is Sonneratia, followed by (Varanus flasvescens), water monitor Avicennaia and Nypa. As the ground is (Varanus salvator), Indian python (Python elevated as a result of soil deposition, other molurus) and the Bengal tiger (Panthera trees make their appearance. The most tigris tigris) are some of the resident species. prevalent, though one of the late species to Some of these species are protected by appear, is Excoecaria. As the level of land legislation, notably by the Bangladesh rises through accretion and the land is only Wildlife (Preservation) Order, 1973 (P.O. 23 occasionally flooded by tides, Heritiera of 1973). Some species such as hog deer fomes begins to appear. (Axis duvauceli), Javan rhinoceros (Rhinoceros sondaicus), single horned Fauna rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis) and the mugger crocodile (Crocodylus palustris) The Sundarbans is very rich in wildlife. The have become extinct in the Sundarbans at management of wildlife is presently the beginning of the last century. restricted to the protection of fauna from poaching and designation of some areas as Recent studies revealed that the Bangladesh wildlife sanctuaries where no extraction of Sundarbans support diverse biological forest produce is allowed and the wildlife resources including at least 120 species of face few disturbances. Although the fauna of commercially important fishes, 270 species Bangladesh have diminished in recent times of birds, 42 species of mammals, 35 reptiles and the Sundarbans has not been spared and eight amphibian species. This represents from this decline, the mangrove forest a significant proportion of the species retains several good wildlife habitats and present in Bangladesh (about 30% of the their associated fauna. Of these the tiger and reptiles, 37% the birds and 34% of the dolphin are target species for planning mammals) and includes a large number of wildlife management and tourism species which are now extinct elsewhere in development. There are high profile and the country. Two amphibians, 14 reptiles, 25 vulnerable mammals living in two aves and five mammals are presently contrasting environments and their statuses endangered. The Sundarbans is an important and management are strong indicators of the wintering area for migrant water birdsand is general condition of wildlife and its

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Airo International Research Journal March, 2017 Volume X, ISSN: 2320-3714 Impact Factor 0.75 to 3.19 an area suitable for watching and studying (newsprint mill, match factory, hardboard, avifauna. boat building, furniture making) are based on the raw material obtained from the The Sundarbans were home to Sundarbans ecosystem. Various non-timber approximately 500 Bengal tigers in 2004, forest products and plantations help generate one of the largest single population of tigers. considerable employment and income Tiger attacks are frequent in the Sundarbans. generation opportunities for at least half a Between 100 and 250 people are killed per million poor coastal population. Besides year. However, owing to various measures production function of the forest, it provides taken for safety, there have been no reports natural protection to life and properties of of deaths since 2004 in the Indian portion of the coastal population in cyclone prone the Sundarbans. Bangladesh.

CONCLUSION Despite human habitations and economic exploitation of the forest, Sundarbans The Sundarbans play an important role in retained a forest closure of about 70% the economy of the southwestern region of according to the Overseas Development Bangladesh as well as in the national Administration (ODA) of the United economy. It is the single largest source of Kingdom in 1985. forest produce in the country. The forest provides raw material for wood based Forest inventories reveal a decline in industries. In addition to traditional forest standing volume of the two main produce like timber, fuel wood, pulpwood commercial mangrove species – sundari etc., larger scale harvest of non wood forest (Heritiera fomes) and gewa Excoecaria products such as thatching materials, honey, agallocha) – by 40% and 45% respectively bees-wax, fish, crustacean and mollusk between 1959 and 1983 (Forestal 1960 and resources of the forest takes place regularly. ODA 1985). Also, despite a total ban on all The vegetated tidal lands of the Sundarbans killing or capture of wildlife other than fish also function as an essential habitat, nutrient and some invertebrates, there appears to be a producer, water purifier, nutrient and pattern of depleted biodiversity or loss of sediment trap, storm barrier, shore stabilizer, species (notably at least six mammals and energy storage unit and aesthetic attraction. one important reptile this century), and that the “ecological quality of the original The forest also has immense protective and mangrove forest is declining” (IUCN 1994). productive functions. Constituting 51% of the total forest estate of Bangladesh it REFERENCES: contributes about 41% of total forest revenue and accounts for about 45% of all [1] Taylor, Jenny, Bourne. “„Received a timber and fuel wood output of the country Blank Child”: John Brownlow, (FAO 1995). A number of industries Charles Dickens, and the London

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Airo International Research Journal March, 2017 Volume X, ISSN: 2320-3714 Impact Factor 0.75 to 3.19

Foundling Hospital: Archives and of Charles Dickens.” Dickens- Fictions.” Nineteenth Century Literature. 10 February 2008. Literature, Vol. 56:3. (2001): 293 – http://www.dickens-literature.com/1- 363. biography.html

[2] Tennyson Alfred. “The Princess.” [6] “The Fareham Workhouse Scandal.” About.com: Classic Literature. 26 Westbury Manor Homepage. 20 May 2008. March 2008. http://classiclit.about.com/library/bl- http://www3.hants.gov.uk/museum/ etexts/atennyson/bl-aten- westbury-manor-museum/westbury- princess.htm local-studies/fareham- workhouse.htm [3] Terpening, William, R. “The Impact of the Industrial Revolution on [7] Thompson, E.P. The Making of the Servant-Master Relationships.” The English Working Class. New York: Victorian Web. 1996. 25 February Peter Smith Publishers, 1999. 2008. http://www.victorianweb.org/authors [8] Tibble, Anne. The Story of English /dickens/pickwick/wrt.html Literature: A Critical Survey. London: Peter Owen Ltd,1970. [4] Thackeray, William, M. Vanity Fair. London: Penguin Classics, 2003. [9] Travers, Martin. European Literature from Romanticism to [5] The Charities and the Poor of Post-Modernism: A Reader in London.” Quarterly Review, Vol. 97. Aesthetic Practice. London: (1855): 436. “The Complete Works Continuum, 2001.

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