Kolkata, 14 July (H.S.): West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Tuesday launched a sharp attack on the previous state government over large-scale deforestation and environmental degradation, alleging that years of neglect had severely damaged the state's forest cover.

Without naming the former administration, Adhikari said, They destroyed everything. They did not even spare the trees, while urging people to participate in a large-scale afforestation drive to restore the state's ecological balance.

The Chief Minister was speaking after inaugurating Aranya Saptah 2026 at Bonobitan in Salt Lake, where he planted a sapling to mark the beginning of the week-long plantation campaign.

Addressing the gathering, Adhikari said he often feels distressed while travelling across the state by helicopter for official work or election campaigns, as the shrinking forest cover is clearly visible from the air. He noted that the once-dense forests of Jhargram, Bankura, Purulia and the Terai-Dooars region have witnessed significant depletion over the years.

Accusing the previous government of failing to protect the state's natural resources, the Chief Minister said the time had come to undertake extensive afforestation to conserve forests, wildlife and the environment.

He also alleged that several private and commercial establishments had failed to honour their commitments to develop green spaces after obtaining construction approvals. According to him, these institutions were required to earmark one-third of their land for greenery, but most had failed to comply, leading to the rapid expansion of what he described as concrete jungles.

Adhikari announced that the West Bengal government has set a target of planting 100 million (10 crore) saplings this year. He said that if a large state like Uttar Pradesh could aim to plant 260 million (26 crore) saplings, West Bengal could successfully achieve its own target. He also referred to Union Home Minister Amit Shah's plantation initiative, noting that Shah has set a target of planting 12 million (1.2 crore) saplings in his Lok Sabha constituency this year.

The Chief Minister said the state's initial target of 72 million (7.2 crore) saplings, announced on World Environment Day, had now been increased to 100 million. He stressed that the success of the campaign would depend not only on planting trees but also on ensuring their protection and maintenance for at least two to three years.

Referring to the recent rise in lightning-related fatalities in the state, Adhikari also advocated the plantation of more coconut trees. He said the State Pollution Control Board had been instructed to take necessary steps in this regard to help reduce the impact of lightning strikes.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh