Due to the nationwide lockdown, India is faced with multiple challenges. These range from restricted movement of people and lack of livelihood options to shortage of essential supplies in remote corners of the country including villages located near wildlife habitats. Local communities especially those living close to forests have also been affected with these challenges.

In the Indian Sundarbans where the ecosystem directly supports the communities through subsistence activities such as fishing, and collection of non-timber forest products like honey, the lockdown has had an impact on their livelihoods. The fishermen living at the fringe of Sundarbans are safe in their homes but their livelihoods have been affected due to the seasonal ban on fishing during the breeding season, and the restriction on movement due to the lockdown.

WWF India has been working with the local communities towards helping build a climate-resilient landscape that supports biodiversity, ecosystems services, and sustainable development. To support them during this difficult time, WWF India and the West Bengal Forest Directorate, through the Joint Forest Management Committees in Sundarbans, have already reached out to over 1400 households to provide hygiene and food supplies. WWF India is working to reach out to more households in the immediate term and will work with the partners to bring about medium term and long term solutions.