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Various steps have been taken by authorities to mitigate the issue of coastal erosion and saline ingress on Sagar Island in West Bengal. This was stated in a report filed by the district magistrate (DM) of South 24 Parganas on February 22, 2025.
The report was in response to the National Green Tribunal (NGT) order dated January 7, 2025. In the order, the court directed the DM to file a fresh affidavit on steps taken for the implementation of National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management (NCSM) recommendations.
The DM, in compliance with the NGT order, issued letters to the executive engineer, Kakdwip Irrigation Division and divisional forest officer, South 24 Parganas, requesting them to submit a report on the steps taken to implement the NCSM recommendations.
The executive engineer, Kakdwip Irrigation Division, in their report dated February 19, 2025, said one scheme — ‘Raising and strengthening of Sundarbans embankment’ — has been prepared for the sustainable protection and prevention of saline ingress at Shibpur.
The scheme is under technical scrutiny by the irrigation department. Implementation of living shoreline at the eroding sites (Shibpur) to stabilise the coast and safeguard life and property of the coastal community is under study at River Research Institute (RRI) of irrigation department, depending upon latest or available bathymetry data at the site and the adjoining area.
On November 15, 2024, the joint secretary (works), irrigation and waterways department, had in principle accepted the proposal with a request to arrange the site visit at the earliest to suggest immediate short-term measures which need to be implemented before Ganga Sagar Mela and also to derive the way forward for long-term solutions. Before the 2025 Gangasagar Mela, the damaged riverbank was restored from the left side and also from Pilgrim Road 1 to Pilgrim Road 3.
Apart from that, the damaged bank between Pilgrim Road 3 and Pilgrim Road 6 has also been restored. Restoration of both the above-mentioned works have been done by transported earth, bullah driving, geo-synthetic, earth-filled poly bags and nylon crates.
The report filed by the divisional forest officer, South 24 Parganas, dated February 19, 2025, said administrative approval has been received for creation of CSB plantation over a 12-hectare area at Sagar Island near the Kapil Muni ashram, along with several nature-based interventions.
This will help in mitigating the issue of coastal erosion. In addition, over the years, 24 Parganas (South) Forest Division has undertaken mangrove and other plantations on Sagar Island. These act as a natural barrier against coastal erosion by accumulating sediment and building land over time.
A joint committee inspection report on illegal mining in Nagaojanahalli village, Pochampalli taluk, Krishnagiri district dated March 4, 2025, recommended levying penalty for the illicit mining.
During joint inspection, no quarrying activity was seen to be currently carried out. However, an illicit quarry pit was noticed in the field. The court was informed that in 2021, of total 352.285 cbm of colour granite illegally quarried (from SF No 744), penalty has already been levied for 210.820 cbm by the district collector of Krishnagiri. Further, necessary action would be taken for levying penalty for the remaining quantity of 141.465 cbm.
The joint committee has recommended taking necessary action for levying penalty by the concerned authority for the remaining quantity of 141.465 cbm of grey granite which was illegally quarried from the non-lease area (SF No 744/5 and 744/15).