Jnanpith awardee author Amitav Ghosh and academic Sukanta Chaudhuri engaged in a discussion during the Tata Steel Kolkata Literary Meet yesterday, shedding light on the profound repercussions of colonial exploitations in eastern India and the consequences of climate change on forests.

In a session titled “The Resource Curse”, Ghosh, known for his works on colonialism and climate change, and Chaudhuri, a literary scholar and professor emeritus at Jadavpur University, delved into the complexities of the Sunderbans, a mangrove delta spanning India and Bangladesh.

Addressing colonial trade, Ghosh underscored the lasting impact of colonial trade on eastern India, creating enduring disparities between western and eastern regions. “The colonial trade has wreaked havoc on eastern India, creating a lasting divide between the western and eastern regions, and its consequences continue to affect us today. The long-term disparities are a stark reminder of this historical exploitation,” he said.

He further highlighted the monopolisation of the opium trade by the East India Company, a key factor leading to the revolt against British rule. “This trade held immense importance, generating substantial revenue, primarily due to its plantation system enforced by the government,” Ghosh commented.

Chaudhuri highlighted the case of Gosaba, a region colonised by Scotsman Daniel Hamilton in the early 20th century. He characterised Hamilton as an “enlightened colonist” for fostering cooperation without direct exploitation. Noting Hamilton’s substantial investment in the region, Chaudhuri underlined the possibility that developmental actions in one era could lead to adverse consequences three generations later.

Despite Hamilton’s perceived benevolence and progressive measures, such interventions led to the disappearance of crucial mangroves, exacerbating the threat of rising sea levels and global warming. Ghosh characterised Hamilton as an “old-fashioned colonist”, attempting to reclaim what he deemed wastelands, ultimately forcing the descendants of those settled to retreat. Emphasising the Sunderbans, Ghosh voiced alarm over their fast disappearance, stating that Kolkata depends on the Sundarbans for its protection.

The discussion extended to unintended consequences in other regions, with Ghosh citing examples from India and Bangladesh. Labelling the Farakka barrage as an “environmental catastrophe”, Ghosh said, “The Meghna would not have dried up….Every time there is a flood, the Farakka barrage releases huge quantities of water, which thereafter causes floods in Bangladesh. A lot of silt has stopped, lots of movement of fish has stopped. But most of all, sooner or later, the Ganga is going to bypass Farakka, because that’s what it does. Then the barrage would be useless anyway.”

Ghosh also drew attention to the planetary crisis caused by climate change, emphasising the interconnectedness of forest ecosystems. He expressed concern about the government’s decision to open forests to mining, posing threats to indigenous communities and contributing to the reduction of primary forest areas.