During a high-octane election rally in Minakhan, TMC Supremo Mamata Banerjee made a landmark announcement regarding the future of the Sundarbans. Aiming to bridge the gap between the administration and the remote islands, the Chief Minister declared the government’s plan to carve out Sundarbans as a separate district. “Sundarbans is a UNESCO World Heritage site. It will be one of the seven new districts we are creating to ensure all services reach people directly,” she stated.

Highlighting the unique challenges of the region, Mamata noted that the residents live amidst the constant threat of tigers and crocodiles. To address this, an integrated masterplan is being developed, focusing on administrative efficiency, healthcare, and security. The CM emphasized that with the creation of the new district, locals would no longer have to travel long distances for government work. She also pointed out existing achievements, such as the establishment of SNCUs (Serious Newborn Care Units) and specialized Mother & Child Hubs in the region. The vision behind this administrative split is to balance biodiversity conservation with sustainable local economic development.