WB mulling 'African safari' model for Sunderbans
The West Bengal government is mulling comprehensive development of tourism on the lines of "African safari" for the Sunderbans which was "neglected in the erstwhile Left Front rule", Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said on Tuesday.
"We are contemplating if anything can be done on the model of African safari in the Sunderbans," Banerjee told a rally during her first visit here after assuming power.
"The state government will prepare a comprehensive Sunderbans tourism development package covering Patharpratima, Jharkhali, Pakhiralaya, Gosaba, Hingalganj areas, for which the World Bank may extend assistance," she said.
Stating that such schemes would generate jobs, she said that a team of officials from infrastructure leasing and financial sectors from Delhi, entrusted by the state government, had visited the Sunderbans to explore its tourism potential.
Banerjee said that the previous Left Front government during its 34 years in power had left behind crumbling infrastructure.
Targeting the erstwhile government for not doing anything for the development of the Sunderbans, the chief minister said, "Our opposition parties, particularly CPI(M), have been spreading canards against me ever since we have taken over.
"What we could do in last eight months, they could not have achieved in next 800 years. They built up a mountain of corruption which has been exposed."
She said that the chief secretary, home secretary and top officials of different departments had accompanied her to study the spot and make plans for development.
