In missive to CM, citizens’ group suggests steps to correct ecological imbalance in North Bengal

Amidst the ongoing recovery efforts in north Bengal following the devastating October floods and landslides, a Siliguribased citizens' group, Samanway Dal - Jomi, Jibika O Poribesh Banchao Abhijan - has submitted a 13-point proposal to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee through the Divisional Commissioner of Jalpaiguri.

- STATESMAN NEWS SERVICE

The appeal comes in the wake of the chief minister's repeated visits to the flood-hit region, reflecting growing civil concern over what the group describes as "long-term environmental degradation and corporate exploitation" behind the recurring disasters.

The memorandum draws attention to the massive floods and landslides that struck the region on 4-5 October, killing at least 58 people, including citizens of neighbouring Nepal and Bhutan. It argues that the calamity was not a mere natural disaster, but a direct result of years of unregulated corporate activities, reckless construction, and neglect of environmental safeguards in north Bengal's ecologically fragile Himalayan and sub-Himalayan zones.