Mega World Bank Project to Conserve and Develop Sundarbans

A mega project is being undertaken by the World Bank, to conserve the biodiversity of the Sundarbans and to develop the regio socio-economically. This is based on a recommendation from the planning commission of India. The project will be completed by the end of the year. The State minister for Sundarbans Affairs has said that steps will also be taken to develop the site as a major tourist destination. There is concern from environmentalists though that the region is already facing major pressures due to global climate change and that any many major flora and fauna in the region were already extinct or close to extinction. Thus any minor change in the ecological balance may have long-term effects.