‘Climate change pushing up child labour, trafficking, early marriage in Sundarbans’
Times of India | 20 February 2025
123 Kolkata: Escalating climate-induced disasters in the Sundarbans have severely impacted the lives of children living there over the past decade, reveals a recent study. Child labour, trafficking, early marriage, adolescent pregnancy, and violence are increasing while social protection services remain inadequate, the study claims.
Climate-related disruptions have led to a 70% rate of irregular school attendance and a 27% dropout rate in the affected areas of Gosaba and Pathar Pratima, the study states.
Over the past decade, 55% of households in the Sundarbans reported a significant rise in underage marriages. In Gosaba alone, 76 cases of child marriage were registered between 2019 and April 2022. Families, struggling with economic and environmental hardships, often marry off daughters as young as 14-15 to alleviate financial burdens and perceived safety concerns. Consequently, 73% of these girls migrate to other districts, frequently without proper background checks on their spouses, increasing their vulnerability to exploitation. The study was presented at a workshop on climate change and child rights, organised by the West Bengal Commission for Protection of Child Rights (WBCPCR) on Wednesday. The study also indicates that only 17% of migrating individuals take their spouses along, while a mere 7% bring their children, leaving many behind in vulnerable conditions. Reports of underage elopements and human trafficking linked to forced labour and marriage migration have also surged.
"The increase in climate change-induced disasters has led to a sharp rise in child marriage and abuse cases," said Tulika Das, chairperson of WBCPCR. "Children's education suffers as floods destroy books and school supplies, and schools often turn into flood shelters," she added. The commission is examining these concerning trends and exploring remedial measures. It will also undertake periodic policy reviews and research to address the impact of climate change on vulnerable children.
The study has found that 90% of respondents in Pathar Pratima and Gosaba directly experienced climate change effects over the past decade, significantly impacting agricultural productivity and food security.
Additionally, 75% of surveyed households reported being affected by climate-induced natural calamities at least three times in the last ten years. Ananya Chakraborti, advisor to WBCPCR, underscored the challenges children face in resuming education after disasters. "Relief efforts provide food and shelter but rarely include books. As a result, children struggle to return to school and continue their studies," he said.
The findings call for urgent policy interventions to protect children from the cascading effects of climate change, said Joydeep Sengupta of Terre Des Hommes, the organization that conducted the study in 2022 and 2024.
Kolkata: Escalating climate-induced disasters in the Sundarbans have severely impacted the lives of children living there over the past decade, reveals a recent study. Child labour, trafficking, early marriage, adolescent pregnancy, and violence are increasing while social protection services remain inadequate, the study claims.
Climate-related disruptions have led to a 70% rate of irregular school attendance and a 27% dropout rate in the affected areas of Gosaba and Pathar Pratima, the study states.
Over the past decade, 55% of households in the Sundarbans reported a significant rise in underage marriages. In Gosaba alone, 76 cases of child marriage were registered between 2019 and April 2022. Families, struggling with economic and environmental hardships, often marry off daughters as young as 14-15 to alleviate financial burdens and perceived safety concerns. Consequently, 73% of these girls migrate to other districts, frequently without proper background checks on their spouses, increasing their vulnerability to exploitation. The study was presented at a workshop on climate change and child rights, organised by the West Bengal Commission for Protection of Child Rights (WBCPCR) on Wednesday. The study also indicates that only 17% of migrating individuals take their spouses along, while a mere 7% bring their children, leaving many behind in vulnerable conditions. Reports of underage elopements and human trafficking linked to forced labour and marriage migration have also surged.
"The increase in climate change-induced disasters has led to a sharp rise in child marriage and abuse cases," said Tulika Das, chairperson of WBCPCR. "Children's education suffers as floods destroy books and school supplies, and schools often turn into flood shelters," she added. The commission is examining these concerning trends and exploring remedial measures. It will also undertake periodic policy reviews and research to address the impact of climate change on vulnerable children.
The study has found that 90% of respondents in Pathar Pratima and Gosaba directly experienced climate change effects over the past decade, significantly impacting agricultural productivity and food security.
Additionally, 75% of surveyed households reported being affected by climate-induced natural calamities at least three times in the last ten years. Ananya Chakraborti, advisor to WBCPCR, underscored the challenges children face in resuming education after disasters. "Relief efforts provide food and shelter but rarely include books. As a result, children struggle to return to school and continue their studies," he said.
The findings call for urgent policy interventions to protect children from the cascading effects of climate change, said Joydeep Sengupta of Terre Des Hommes, the organization that conducted the study in 2022 and 2024.
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