10 crore saplings by May 2027: Chief minister Suvendu Adhikari sets green target under Sabuj Swadhinata
Times of India | 19 August 2026
Kolkata: Chief minister Suvendu Adhikari on Tuesday stressed the need for aftercare of saplings, being planted across Bengal as part of the Sabuj Swadhinata drive, even as he inaugurated the campaign to promote greenery and ecological balance.
The event was held at Mohur Kunja in the Rabindra Sadan area, where the CM planted a coconut tree. “If we want to give Kolkata a green cover, we should ensure aftercare of the saplings. For the first time in the state, our panchayats and rural development department has offered a helping hand to see to the saplings’ survival and growth,” Adhikari said, pointing out that not less than two years should be spent on the young plants’ aftercare.
The campaign was flagged off with the state planning to plant 50 lakh saplings across Bengal on Tuesday itself—100 each in every village and municipal area and 500 each in every municipal corporation area. By May 2027, the target is to plan 10 crore saplings.
The CM said various state departments and municipal corporations were working towards the 10 crore target and had already planted 2 crore saplings. “We need to plant another 8 crore. Our govt is committed to enhancing Bengal’s green cover,” said Adhikari.
A massive tree planting drive is also planned for Bhowanipore, the CM’s assembly constituency. According to a KMC source, around 1 lakh saplings will be planted there, among which 50,000 were ready to be planted on Tuesday.
Adhikari said the state planned to plant three crore mangroves in the Sundarbans. “We are worried about the loss of the mangrove cover in large parts of the Sundarbans. Mangroves are natural protectors against soil erosion. How can we forget the effect of Cyclone Amphan that wreaked havoc on Kolkata? Hope the mangrove drive will benefit the Sundarbans,” the CM said.