Villagers fear for survival on India’s disappearing island

Residents of India's Ghoramara Island want to leave their home as it shrinks every year due to rising seas, but many say they can't afford it. The 4.6 sq km (1.8 sq mile) island, part of the Sundarbans delta on the Bay of Bengal, has nearly halved in size over the past two decades, according to village elders. (Source: Reuters)

Ghoramara is among many islands in the delta affected by rising sea levels and soil erosion experts say is caused by climate change. (Source: Reuters)

The Sundarbans, shared by India and Bangladesh, include the world's largest mangrove forest as well as rare or endangered tigers, dolphins, birds and reptiles. (Source: Reuters)

Floods have churned the island's shoreline into mud fringed with broken coconut palms. Fishermen cast their nets to try to take advantage of the rising waters. (Source: Reuters)

Angur Bala Mondal, 83, sits inside her house in front of posters of Hindu deities, after she broke her hip joint in Ghoramara Island. (Source: Reuters)

As well as damaging homes, floods destroy valuable betel leaf crops that many islanders have depended on for a living. "Every year, high-tide salt water enters my farm and destroys my cultivation, so I have to face a big loss," said Mihir Kumar Mondal, a betel leaf farmer. (Source: Reuters)

Half of the villagers are ready to move if the government provided free land in a safer are but there has been no response to their request for compensation or to move people off the island. (Source: Reuters)

Folk theatre actors perform at a makeshift theatre Jatra during annual Hindu festival of Jagadhatri Puja on Ghoramara Island. (Source: Reuters)

Residents say the flood waters are getting worse, threatening their homes and livelihoods. "If government gives rehabilitation I will leave," said Sheikh Aftab Uddin, sitting outside his new mud house with his wife, after his previous home was destroyed by floodwaters. (Source: Reuters)

Climate change experts say the entire island population will have to be relocated one day. (Source: Reuters)