Kolkata: The West Bengal government is undertaking a couple of projects with aid from the World Bank to save the environmental ecosystem of thr Sundarbans and consequently Kolkata.
The first project is called Sustainable Harnessing of Ocean Resources or Lower Sundarban Shore Project.
Aimed at reducing the salinity near the embankments in this deltaic region, the total project will incur expenses of Rs 4100 crore.
The West Bengal government will contribute 30% of the total outlay of the project (Rs 1230 crore) with thr rest coming from the World Bank.
In the initial phase, thr project will be implemented in 11 blocs across both North 24 Parganas and South 24 Parganas district. More priority will be given to 39 islands which are currently populated.
The World Bank team is expected to inspect the sites today following which they will convene for a meeting with a state representative team led by Irrigation Minister Dr Manas Bhuiyan at Dulki in Gosaba, Sundarban.
Additional salinity could destroy the ecosystem of Sundarban and that could have a severe repercussion on thr environment of Kolkata too, informed Bhuiyan. “The need of the hour is to ensure the flow of sweet water,” he asserted.
The second project will involve similar exercises in Uccha Bdweep and will involve the Asian Development Bank. With a total outlay of Rs 1353 crore, the state government will spend 30% at Rs 405 crore with the rest coming from ADB.
