Salt Water Tears

Nobody knows for sure why the water levels are changing in the Bay of Bengal, but nevertheless they are. The striking photographs taken in the far southwest of Bangladesh by Munem Wasif illustrate the consequences of both global warming and the intensive shrimping industry on his country's ecosystem.

Salinity has risen and traditional agriculture is no longer possible. Birds, fish, insects and every living being on this land has been scorched by the ravaging effects of brackish water. A family needs six jugs of water a day and must travel nearly eleven kilometers (six miles) to find them, in spite of the mud which comes up to their knees during the rainy season and braving the terrible biting winter cold. Six million people are suffering a catastrophe caused by the lack of freshwater.

Munem Wasif is represented by l’Agence Vu.