Jungle Nama
By Amitav Ghosh
Illustrated by Salman Toor
“This is the jungle, the timeless tide, where the river meets the sea. Here, nature’s laws alone decide, what can and cannot be.”
Jungle Nama is a graphic verse narrative illustrated by Salman Toor, combining Amitav Ghosh’s lyrical storytelling with the Bengali folk legend of Dokkhin Rai—a mythical ruler of the jungle who often takes the form of a tiger to prey on humans. Set in the Sundarbans, one of the world’s most fragile and climate-vulnerable ecosystems, the story follows twin brothers Mona and Dhona: Mona is kind and generous, while Dhona is a greedy and cunning merchant. The protagonist, Dukhey, is Mona’s son. Ignoring Mona’s warnings, Dhona exploits the mangrove forest for honey, wax, and timber. When one more crew member is needed, he convinces Dukhey while promising his helpless mother that the boy will return wealthy. However, Dhona betrays Dukhey for wealth and safety, offering him as a human sacrifice through a deal with Dokkhin Rai. Left abandoned and defenseless, Dukhey has little hope of surviving in the jungle alone. Miraculously, Bon Bibi, the guardian spirit of the Sundarbans, who protects those who respect nature, rescues him with her warrior brother, Shah Jongoli, and they not only ensure his safe return home but also reward him with wealth.
Through poetic storytelling, Jungle Nama provides a significant environmental message: warning against greed, deforestation, and ecological exploitation, while emphasizing the necessity of coexistence with nature. Dhona represents a capitalistic attitude that prioritizes profit over sustainability, leaving the vulnerable—like small fishing and farming communities—to bear the brunt of climate disasters. Indigenous inhabitants in the Sundarbans, who have long lived in harmony with their environment, are severely affected by land grabs, pollution, and ecological degradation—similar to how Dukhey is victimized by Dhona’s betrayal. By portraying the consequences of Dhona’s reckless actions, Ghosh illustrates how human intervention can lead to environmental degradation and threaten biodiversity, destabilizing entire habitats. The novella thus raises very serious questions about the impact of consumerism and the ethical responsibilities of humanity toward the environment.
In addition, this story highlights the significance of Indigenous knowledge systems in promoting environmental protection and justice. Bon Bibi, who embodies the principle of living in harmony with nature rather than domineering it, reflects the ethical values found in Indigenous worldviews: balance, respect, and reciprocal relationships with the natural world. The people of Sundarbans who depend on the forest for their livelihood respect her, the goddess of the forest, who protects all who pray to her in need irrespective of religion, caste, and community. Salman Toor’s illustrations deepen the mystical atmosphere with shadowy, emotionally resonant visuals that capture the supernatural tone of the story. His use of muted colors and expressive figures adds both drama and vulnerability, enhancing the emotional weight of Dukhey’s journey and Bon Bibi’s divine presence. Thus, Jungle Nama invites readers to explore how ecological ethics rooted in Indigenous practices can invoke sustainable living while resisting the climate crisis. Addressing the effects of greed and the importance of living in harmony with nature can create climate consciousness in younger generations.
©2025 ClimateLit (Golam Rabbani)
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Publisher: HarperCollins India, 2021
ISBN: 978-9353579135
Pages: 80
Format: Novels, Poetry and Short Stories
Topics: Anthropocentrism, Biodiversity Loss, Capitalism, Climate Crisis, Conservation, Consumerism, Deforestation, Ecocentrism, Ecocide, Ecological Posthumanism, Environmental Degradation, Environmental Ethics, Environmental Justice, Greed, Habitat Loss, Human Expansionism, Indigenous Epistemology, Indigenous Worldview, Pollution
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