Archive · 23 Dec 2025
Bengal ministers counter Centre's Sundarbans mismanagement claims
Two ministers from West Bengal have disagreed with a central government minister who said the Sundarbans area is not being developed well.
The central minister, Bhupender Yadav, said the state isn't doing enough to attract tourists.
The Bengal ministers said the central government isn't releasing funds that were approved by the World Bank.
They also mentioned that the Sundarbans is different from other places like Ranthambore and needs special care.
Experts agree that the Sundarbans is special and needs responsible tourism to protect its environment.
Union environment minister Bhupender Yadav accused the West Bengal government of mismanaging Sundarbans development and not exploiting its tourism potential.
Bengal ministers Manas Bhunia and Bankim Hazra countered by asking the Centre to release World Bank-approved funds for Sundarbans development.
The Sundarbans receives 9-9.5 lakh tourists annually, compared to 19 lakh in Ranthambore, but experts say it requires responsible tourism due to its delicate ecosystem.
A ₹4,100-crore lower-delta project, funded by the World Bank and the state, aims to build embankments, support livelihoods, and conserve biodiversity in the Sundarbans.
Experts and activists emphasize the need to protect the Sundarbans' ecosystem while developing tourism, expressing concerns about potential commercialization.
- Who
- Bengal ministers Manas Bhunia and Bankim Hazra, Union environment minister Bhupender Yadav, Sundarbans experts
- What
- Dispute over Sundarbans development and tourism potential
- When
- Recent, with comments made on Sunday and Monday
- Where
- Sundarbans, West Bengal, India
- Why
- Allegations of mismanagement and central apathy towards Sundarbans development
- Funds Approved by World Bank
- ₹4,100 crore
- Fund Sharing Ratio
- 70:30 (World Bank:State)
- Annual Tourists to Sundarbans
- 9-9.5 lakh
- Annual Tourists to Ranthambore
- 19 lakh
- Central Funds Approved for Sundarbans
- ₹112 crore
- Sundarbans Population
- 5 million
- Sundarbans Tiger Reserve Expansion
- Recently approved by Centre
- Bengal Ministers Involved
- Manas Bhunia, Bankim Hazra