News Analysis India

Tag: Sundarbans

  • Indian Army plans to beef up patrolling and surveillance in Sir Creek, Sundarbans

    Express News Service

    NEW DELHI: The Indian Army plans to strengthen its off coast operational capability along the Sir Creek area in Gujarat and Brahmaputra river basin including the Sundarbans.

    Sources said there are plans to procure eight Landing Craft Assaults (LCA) and six Fast Patrol Boats (FPB). As per the two separate Requests for Information (RFI) issued by the Indian Army on Monday, “The LCA are to be deployed for transportation of vehicle, material, random Boat Patrol and limited Search and Rescue in Sir Creek area, Brahmaputra river, Sunderban Delta of West Bengal and at extreme temperatures.”

    On the Fast Patrol Boat, the RFI says these “are to be deployed for surveillance, patrolling and interception at sea and over water bodies, including as akin to the Sir Creek area.” The maximum speed is expected to be more than 20 knots.  

    In an exclusive report in February, TNIE had written about tension between the Pakistan Marines and Border Security Force (BSF) in the strategically important Sir Creek area in Gujarat following the former’s aggressive posturing. In response, the BSF has deployed resources in commensurate strength.

    The creek is a 98 km long narrow strip of water between the two countries in the marshy areas of Rann of Kutch and opens up into the Arabian Sea. The area has inhospitable weather and terrain, while the marshes are home to poisonous snakes and scorpions.

    ALSO READ | Army top brass gathers in Delhi to discuss national security and operational preparedness

    The characteristics needed of LCA includes being “designed to drive in/out of water bodies without the need for any jetty. It should be operable in water at minimal draughts, in unknown/ varying terrain conditions and also at high speeds.”

    “It should be rugged and versatile, so as to facilitate seamless execution of operations such as patrolling, fast attack/ interception, etc across a varying matrix of terrain and operating conditions. The LCA should be designed to ensure safety of the operator, reduction of operator fatigue whilst achieving the standards for rugged military use,” the RFI says.

    It needs to have a carriage capacity of 35 personnel including crew along with personnel weapon and equipment (total payload 5255 kg).

    “The Fast Patrol Boat being procured for rugged military use shall be designed to drive in/ out of water bodies without the need for any jetty. It should be operable in water at minimal draughts, in unknown/ varying terrain conditions and also at high speeds. It should be rugged and versatile, so as to facilitate seamless execution of small team insertion, surveillance, reconnaissance and patrolling such as the operational role of small team task force or MOTF (Mission Orienting Task Force) etc across a varying matrix of terrain and operating conditions,” adds the RFI.

    The Army has also put a RFI for procurement of 118 Integrated Surveillance and Targeting Systems (ISAT-S) with a minimum of 60 percent indigenous content. The surveillance drone and loitering munitions should be capable of being launched from altitudes up to 4500 metres (14500 feet) mean sea level. It should be capable of functioning using major navigation systems and even in a denied environment. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp

    NEW DELHI: The Indian Army plans to strengthen its off coast operational capability along the Sir Creek area in Gujarat and Brahmaputra river basin including the Sundarbans.

    Sources said there are plans to procure eight Landing Craft Assaults (LCA) and six Fast Patrol Boats (FPB). As per the two separate Requests for Information (RFI) issued by the Indian Army on Monday, “The LCA are to be deployed for transportation of vehicle, material, random Boat Patrol and limited Search and Rescue in Sir Creek area, Brahmaputra river, Sunderban Delta of West Bengal and at extreme temperatures.”

    On the Fast Patrol Boat, the RFI says these “are to be deployed for surveillance, patrolling and interception at sea and over water bodies, including as akin to the Sir Creek area.” The maximum speed is expected to be more than 20 knots.  googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    In an exclusive report in February, TNIE had written about tension between the Pakistan Marines and Border Security Force (BSF) in the strategically important Sir Creek area in Gujarat following the former’s aggressive posturing. In response, the BSF has deployed resources in commensurate strength.

    The creek is a 98 km long narrow strip of water between the two countries in the marshy areas of Rann of Kutch and opens up into the Arabian Sea. The area has inhospitable weather and terrain, while the marshes are home to poisonous snakes and scorpions.

    ALSO READ | Army top brass gathers in Delhi to discuss national security and operational preparedness

    The characteristics needed of LCA includes being “designed to drive in/out of water bodies without the need for any jetty. It should be operable in water at minimal draughts, in unknown/ varying terrain conditions and also at high speeds.”

    “It should be rugged and versatile, so as to facilitate seamless execution of operations such as patrolling, fast attack/ interception, etc across a varying matrix of terrain and operating conditions. The LCA should be designed to ensure safety of the operator, reduction of operator fatigue whilst achieving the standards for rugged military use,” the RFI says.

    It needs to have a carriage capacity of 35 personnel including crew along with personnel weapon and equipment (total payload 5255 kg).

    “The Fast Patrol Boat being procured for rugged military use shall be designed to drive in/ out of water bodies without the need for any jetty. It should be operable in water at minimal draughts, in unknown/ varying terrain conditions and also at high speeds. It should be rugged and versatile, so as to facilitate seamless execution of small team insertion, surveillance, reconnaissance and patrolling such as the operational role of small team task force or MOTF (Mission Orienting Task Force) etc across a varying matrix of terrain and operating conditions,” adds the RFI.

    The Army has also put a RFI for procurement of 118 Integrated Surveillance and Targeting Systems (ISAT-S) with a minimum of 60 percent indigenous content. The surveillance drone and loitering munitions should be capable of being launched from altitudes up to 4500 metres (14500 feet) mean sea level. It should be capable of functioning using major navigation systems and even in a denied environment. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp

  • Sundarbans records highest drowning mortality rate among children across globe: Report

    By PTI

    KOLKATA: West Bengal’s Sundarbans region has recorded the world’s highest drowning mortality rate of 243 per lakh population among children in the age group of one to four in three years prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a study.

    The study, which was conducted from 2016 to 2019, also found that the region has a mortality rate of 38.8 per lakh population among children aged between five and nine.

    The study was conducted in 19 blocks – 13 in South 24 Parganas district and six in North 24 Parganas – of the region on incidents reported from October 2016 to September 2019. It was recently published.

    “There was no difference in the mortality rates among boys and girls. Most children drowned in ponds within 50 metres of their homes when they were unaccompanied by their primary caretakers who were engaged in household work,” it said.

    The survey was carried out by non-governmental organisation Child in Need Institute (CINI), in partnership with global agencies Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) and The George Institute (TGI) to gauge the enormity of the problem of drowning among children in the coastal Sundarbans region.

    Sundarbans is a mangrove region in southeastern part of West Bengal and southwestern region of Bangladesh.

    In the Indian part, Sundarbans is spread over 100 islands and has around 40 lakh inhabitants.

    Of the total population, around 15.9 per cent are children aged between one and nine.

    Many settlements are remote and far away from medical establishments.

    Water level in the waterbodies of Sundarbans increase during monsoon, while the coastal region is also increasingly experiencing incidents of flooding over the last four to five years.

    West Bengal’s Sundarbans Affairs Minister Bankim Chandra Hazra acknowledged the problem of drowning of children and said that the state government is trying to address the issue.

    “We have no hesitation in admitting that there have been incidents of deaths of children by drowning. However, we do not have a detailed report,” Hazra told PTI.

    According to the minister, the call of the hour is to raise the level of awareness among the residents of Sundarbans on drowning like they were informed about dengue, malaria or child marriage.

    “Every year, we are losing several young lives due to drowning. People need to be informed in this regard to address this problem,” Hazra added.

    CINI’s national advocacy officer Sujoy Roy said that the survey will help not only locals but also highlight the situation before policymakers.

    “Drowning deaths, particularly among children, are heart-wrenching and entirely preventable. It is imperative that governments take heightened responsibility to protect our children from this silent peril. This study will help the local people as well as the government to understand how critical the situation is and realise the need to frame a policy in this regard,” Roy said.

    He said that the first-ever national seminar on drowning prevention was jointly organised by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and the World Health Organisation (WHO) in Kerala’s Thiruvananthapuram in September.

    KOLKATA: West Bengal’s Sundarbans region has recorded the world’s highest drowning mortality rate of 243 per lakh population among children in the age group of one to four in three years prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a study.

    The study, which was conducted from 2016 to 2019, also found that the region has a mortality rate of 38.8 per lakh population among children aged between five and nine.

    The study was conducted in 19 blocks – 13 in South 24 Parganas district and six in North 24 Parganas – of the region on incidents reported from October 2016 to September 2019. It was recently published.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8052921-2’); });

    “There was no difference in the mortality rates among boys and girls. Most children drowned in ponds within 50 metres of their homes when they were unaccompanied by their primary caretakers who were engaged in household work,” it said.

    The survey was carried out by non-governmental organisation Child in Need Institute (CINI), in partnership with global agencies Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) and The George Institute (TGI) to gauge the enormity of the problem of drowning among children in the coastal Sundarbans region.

    Sundarbans is a mangrove region in southeastern part of West Bengal and southwestern region of Bangladesh.

    In the Indian part, Sundarbans is spread over 100 islands and has around 40 lakh inhabitants.

    Of the total population, around 15.9 per cent are children aged between one and nine.

    Many settlements are remote and far away from medical establishments.

    Water level in the waterbodies of Sundarbans increase during monsoon, while the coastal region is also increasingly experiencing incidents of flooding over the last four to five years.

    West Bengal’s Sundarbans Affairs Minister Bankim Chandra Hazra acknowledged the problem of drowning of children and said that the state government is trying to address the issue.

    “We have no hesitation in admitting that there have been incidents of deaths of children by drowning. However, we do not have a detailed report,” Hazra told PTI.

    According to the minister, the call of the hour is to raise the level of awareness among the residents of Sundarbans on drowning like they were informed about dengue, malaria or child marriage.

    “Every year, we are losing several young lives due to drowning. People need to be informed in this regard to address this problem,” Hazra added.

    CINI’s national advocacy officer Sujoy Roy said that the survey will help not only locals but also highlight the situation before policymakers.

    “Drowning deaths, particularly among children, are heart-wrenching and entirely preventable. It is imperative that governments take heightened responsibility to protect our children from this silent peril. This study will help the local people as well as the government to understand how critical the situation is and realise the need to frame a policy in this regard,” Roy said.

    He said that the first-ever national seminar on drowning prevention was jointly organised by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and the World Health Organisation (WHO) in Kerala’s Thiruvananthapuram in September.

  • Mamata likely to officially announce 2 new districts on Tuesday

    By PTI

    KOLKATA: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is expected to officially announce Sundarbans and Basirhat as two new districts of the state during an administrative meeting scheduled on November 29, a senior official said on Monday.

    The two districts are set to be carved out of South and North 24 Parganas districts, he said.

    “All the necessary work to create the two new districts has been completed. The CM is likely to announce the names tomorrow in Hingalganj during the administrative meeting,” the official told PTI.

    The CM will begin her three-day tour of the mangrove area of Sundarbans from Monday.

    The district of Sundarbans is likely to have around 13 blocks of South 24 Parganas while Basirhat may have six of North 24 Parganas, he said.

    Sundarbans, a UNESCO World Heritage site, currently is spread over North and South 24 Parganas districts, while Basirhat is a sub-division of North 24 Parganas. West Bengal currently has 23 districts.

    The state had to bear a cost of at least Rs 200 crore to create each district, the official said.

    Banerjee will perform ‘Pratiki Puja’ (nature worship) at Hingalganj to protect inhabitants from elephant attacks, the official said.

    “I will perform ‘Prakriti Puja’ in Hingalganj. Of late, elephant attacks have increased as jumbos are straying out of forests in search of food,” she had on November 25 said in the assembly.

    She had also expressed concern over Sundarbans facing natural calamities such as cyclones and floods every year and said her government has submitted a master plan for the development of the area to the NITI Aayog.

    “We have submitted the master plan for Sundarbans to the NITI Aayog. Every year, there are cyclones and floods. If there is a master plan, the problem will be solved. I will ask the forest minister to look into the matter more seriously,” she added.

    On Wednesday, Banerjee is scheduled to visit Sajnekahli in South 24 Parganas.

    KOLKATA: West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee is expected to officially announce Sundarbans and Basirhat as two new districts of the state during an administrative meeting scheduled on November 29, a senior official said on Monday.

    The two districts are set to be carved out of South and North 24 Parganas districts, he said.

    “All the necessary work to create the two new districts has been completed. The CM is likely to announce the names tomorrow in Hingalganj during the administrative meeting,” the official told PTI.

    The CM will begin her three-day tour of the mangrove area of Sundarbans from Monday.

    The district of Sundarbans is likely to have around 13 blocks of South 24 Parganas while Basirhat may have six of North 24 Parganas, he said.

    Sundarbans, a UNESCO World Heritage site, currently is spread over North and South 24 Parganas districts, while Basirhat is a sub-division of North 24 Parganas. West Bengal currently has 23 districts.

    The state had to bear a cost of at least Rs 200 crore to create each district, the official said.

    Banerjee will perform ‘Pratiki Puja’ (nature worship) at Hingalganj to protect inhabitants from elephant attacks, the official said.

    “I will perform ‘Prakriti Puja’ in Hingalganj. Of late, elephant attacks have increased as jumbos are straying out of forests in search of food,” she had on November 25 said in the assembly.

    She had also expressed concern over Sundarbans facing natural calamities such as cyclones and floods every year and said her government has submitted a master plan for the development of the area to the NITI Aayog.

    “We have submitted the master plan for Sundarbans to the NITI Aayog. Every year, there are cyclones and floods. If there is a master plan, the problem will be solved. I will ask the forest minister to look into the matter more seriously,” she added.

    On Wednesday, Banerjee is scheduled to visit Sajnekahli in South 24 Parganas.