NEWS has been conducting training programs in 65 Gram panchayats under 9 blocks in Sundarban in partnership with MGNREGA
Sundarban, that has the most extensive mangrove ecosystem in the world, is affected by severe cyclones, tidal effects, widespread flooding & other natural calamities every year. The onrushing saline surge causes soil erosion, breaches the earthen embankments in the islands . and the saltwater floods large areas severely damaging the standing crop, affecting agricultural lands, ponds, homesteads.
The mangroves act as bio shields and as sentinels, defend the first line when the storm lashes, standing in the path of the wrathful storm, protecting the island embankments from the fury.
On May 20, 2020, the region adjoining the Bay of Bengal, witnessed Amphan, the most furious cyclonic storm in recent times that completely ravaged the area, killing more than 100 and damaging thousands of homes and settlements. The damage was without precedence.
On the occasion of the World Environment Day, 2020, Sm Mamata Banerjee, Hon’ble Chief Minister, Govt, of West Bengal, made a historic announcement – the decision of her Govt to plant 5 crore mangrove saplings in the flood-ravaged areas of Sundarban as a natural bio shield to protect the islands.
In the light of this decision, Nature Environment & Wildlife Society( NEWS ), who have the requisite experience and the expertise in areas like development of nurseries for mangroves, plantation, monitoring & maintenance of mangrove ecosystems & training of personnel in related work have come forward to work with the Govt in this novel initiative,
The objective is to ensure the participation of the local communities, providing training and engaging them in nursery development of mangroves, plantation, monitoring, restoration, and ensuring long term protection of mangroves.
The training programs were held at Madhusudanpur, Bapuji, Rabindra, and Ramgopalpur of Kakdwip block, Ramkarchar, Dhospara II, Gangasagar of Sagar Block, Raidighi, Konkondighi and Nagendrapur of Mathurapur Block, Jharkhali and Bharatgarh of Basanti Block on 8th, 9th, and 10th September 2020.