The state government has initiated a three-step approach to counter the rise in salinity in the Sunderbans that impacts the livelihood of residents of the islands.

According to climate experts, the salinity in water in the Sunderbans has been increasing since the early 1980s but it picked up pace in recent years triggered by climate change.

Studies carried out by NEWS, a non-profit organisation, show that the central sector of the Sunderbans biosphere reserve is highly saline. Administrative blocks of Patharpratima, Basanti, Kultali, Sandeshkhali-I and Gosaba experience extremely high levels of soil salinity and salt intrusion.

While the rise in salinity in water affects fishery, soil salinity impacts agriculture.

Addressing a meeting on climate change on Tuesday, state irrigation secretary Prabhat Kumar Mishra said: “We have taken a three-step policy to counter the salinity problem in the Sunderbans — increase rainwater harvesting in moribund channels so that more fresh water is available; strength embankments with proper design along with mangroves buffer wherever possible to stop the ingress of saline water during spring tides and cyclones; and bring more freshwater through rivers like the Ichhamati and the Jalangi by restoring their connectivity with their original freshwater sources.”

According to sources, nearly 700km of moribund canals have been desilted under a World Bank-supported project to increase the reserve of freshwater around the villages that are reeling under the impact of increased soil salinity. But much more needs to be done.

A proposal on strengthening embankments is almost ready to be sent to the Union government for clearance, a state official said.

“Before we desilt the transboundary rivers, we need to discuss the issue with Bangladesh. Such a step may be a win-win decision for both countries,” said Mishra.

Andalib Elias, the deputy high commissioner of Bangladesh in Calcutta who was present at the meeting, pointed out that salinity was a major problem in the Bangladesh part of the Sunderbans.

“The Sunderbans is a climate hotspot with rising water levels and cyclones inundating major parts of it frequently. We need to pursue ecological engineering in the area, a technical intervention that is in tune with nature,” said West Bengal Pollution Control Board chairman Kalyan Rudra.

“If the river Ichhamati can be connected to Mathabhanga river it will help reduce its salinity and help livelihoods and the ecosystem. The successful implementation needs a joint plan involving two countries,” said Sugata Hazra, an oceanographer with Jadavpur University.