Chief minister Mamata Banerjee urged the people to save the ecosystem.
On Banamahotsav (afforestation) she wrote on her X handle: “Sabuj Bachao, Sabuj Dekhao, Sabujer Majhe Bibek Jagao.”
Banmohotsav was observed with enthusiasm across the state with the state forest department distributing saplings among schools, NGOs and corporate houses.
It was observed in 341 blocks in the state with the plantation of saplings. In Birbhum district, it was observed in Dubrajpur block. The officials are keeping an eye on the newly set up forest comprising trees that have been translocated from the coal belt site of Deucha Pachami. New leaves have come on 89 per cent trees.
The day was observed at Women’s College Calcutta with the teaching and non teaching staff and students taking part in the function. Green is maintained around the college campus throughout the year with the non-teaching staff taking active part under the guidance of the principal Dr Anupama Chowdhury.
After coming to power in 2011, plantation has taken place on 4.5 lakh bighas of land. Between 2011 and 2023, forest and tree cover have increased significantly to 22.26 per cent, a senior forest department official said.
More than 66 lakh saplings have been distributed to the mothers of newborns under Sabujshree scheme which was introduced in May 2016. Under Karmashree scheme Rs 20.05 crore has been paid as wages to 24,564 workers engaged in forestry related activities.
He said with financial support from France, the state government has sanctioned a Rs 800-crore project for wildlife conservation in the context of climate change.
The traditional honey of Sunderbans collected by the Mouli honey collectors from the mangrove forest, has been registered under Geographical Indication (GI) in the name of the West Bengal Forest Development Corporation. The state government gives Rs 5 lakh compensation within 24 hours in the event of human death caused by wildlife, and one family member of the deceased is appointed as a forest volunteer. So far, 554 such appointments have been provided.
Between 2022 and 2023, in the ranking of the Central Zoo Authority (CZA), Darjeeling zoo secured the first position in India and the Alipore zoo secured the fourth. In 2025, 58.88 lakh visitors came to the 12 zoos in the state. The World Association of Zoos and Aquariums has recognised the snow leopard conservation and breeding programme at Darjeeling zoo as one of the most successful programmes in the world.