Kamala Thiagarajan
Jyothi, 40, will never forget the day she almost died. The morning started off like any other at Pulicat Lake, part of one of three important wetlands that attracts monsoon rain clouds from October to December. Located on the east coast of India, 50km (30 miles) from the city of Chennai, Pulicat Lake is an enchanting lagoon, roughly half the size of the city of London. Pink flamingos dot its sandy banks. Migratory birds flock to its many islets in their thousands, while fishermen cast their nets into the glassy waters.
On that day in May 2022, Jyothi, who goes by only one name, had set off to work by 09:00 with 10 other women. Rain had soaked the mud paths, making the way treacherously slippery, but the women were adept at navigating the rough terrain. Their job was to wade ankle-deep in the marshy waters of the lagoon's inlets, hunting for fresh fish, shrimp and crab. Two to three kilos of catch, a good day's haul, could fetch ₹500 (£5/$6.25).
As Jyothi waded into the lagoon, she felt something close over her right foot. She slipped. Her head went under. Entangled in the roots and shrubs, she couldn't surface on her own. Terrified, gulping marshy water, she only avoided drowning thanks to the other women who pulled her to safety.
After she was back on the marshy banks, she looked closely at what had caused her to slip. It was a white bucket, the width of her foot. When she had accidentally stepped into it and lost her balance, she couldn't pry it off. Now she saw why it was there: shimmering inside were squiggling, translucent pink creatures known as bristle worms, or polychaetes.
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