Indo-Bangla joint forum to protect eco-system
India is considering setting up a joint forum with Bangladesh for protecting the ecosystem of the Sundarbans and dealing with issues related to its eco-management.
After a meeting with West Bengal Chief Minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee in Kolkata, Indian Environment and Forest Minister Jairam Ramesh on Wednesday said he has started a dialogue to form a join forum to protect the bio-diversity of the Sundarbans.
A master plan with estimated cost of Rs 200 crore has been placed with the World Bank for the development and integrated coastal management of the Sundarbans in five years, he said.
Ramesh said he is expecting a report from the World Bank by August-September this year.
Meanwhile, the Indian government has sanctioned Rs 9 crore as annual grant for the Sundarbans this year, he added.
The Indian minister yesterday visited the Sundarbans where a captured tigress and a deer were released.
Nearly 60 percent of the Sundarbans lies in Bangladesh. Its protection is crucial for both the countries to fight climate change.
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