Mamata Banerjee Proposes Mangrove Planting in North Bengal to Combat Natural Disasters

Innovative Environmental Proposal by West Bengal Chief Minister

Mamata Banerjee, the Chief Minister of West Bengal, has put forth a unique suggestion to plant mangroves and poppy plants in the foothills of North Bengal's mountainous regions. This initiative aims to create natural barriers along riverbanks to mitigate the devastation caused by heavy rainfall.

During her address, Banerjee cited the example of Gangasagar in the Sundarbans, where mangroves, which thrive at river mouths and coastal areas, act as a protective wall against cyclones and heavy rains.

She mentioned that five crore mangrove saplings have been planted in the coastal region, yielding positive results. In an administrative meeting on Wednesday, she emphasized the need for natural barriers in mountainous areas, similar to those in the Sundarbans, to address natural disasters. She pointed out that concrete structures often fail due to rising waters and landslides, collapsing within six months.

Banerjee stated, "We need a permanent solution to this recurring issue."

In response, opposition leader Suvendu Adhikari quickly mocked the Chief Minister's remarks. Adhikari, who switched from the Trinamool Congress to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in 2020, took to social media platform X to humorously nominate Banerjee for a Nobel Prize in Geography and Botany for her 'historical and revolutionary' idea of planting mangroves in the mountains.

He explained that mangroves are a specific type of vegetation that thrives in saline water, typically found in coastal areas near the sea.

Adhikari elaborated, "Mangrove forests or tidal forests serve as a unique shield of nature, playing an unparalleled role in coastal protection, providing habitats for biodiversity, and combating climate change. They act as a vibrant defense system for coastal regions."

He further noted, "This unique ecosystem protects coastal areas from destructive waves, storms, cyclones, and other marine issues, and these muddy saline wetlands are home to countless insects, fish, reptiles, birds, and other creatures."

In a sarcastic remark, the BJP leader stated, "Mamata Banerjee has decided to plant mangroves in the mountains of North Bengal to prevent devastating floods!!! The topography might just change!!!"

He called for a change in power within the state, asserting that the people of West Bengal are eagerly awaiting transformation. With assembly elections scheduled for 2026, he remarked, "Due to her (Banerjee's) foolishness, our state is becoming a subject of ridicule across the country."