Chief minister Mamata Banerjee on Tuesday advocated tourism as a development tool for the proposed Sunderbans district to be carved out soon from the districts of North and South 24-Parganas.

The riverine delta consists of 54 small islands, where job opportunities are limited with fishing and crab hunting being prime occupations. To generate alternative livelihood for residents of the delta, the Bengal government has planned to exploit the region’s tourism potential, primarily through homestays with financial support from the administration.

Speaking at a public meeting at Sunderbans’ Samsernagar village in North 24-Parganas, Mamata said: “I am trying to bring tourists here…. I have inaugurated nine jetties today (Tuesday) to explore river connectivity so that tourists can come.”

She then advised residents to set up homestays, a facility liked by tourists and gaining popularity in north Bengal.

“Take one room in your home and turn it into a homestay accommodation so that tourists can stay. This will help local youths to earn a living,” she said while announcing financial support to encourage people to explore the facility.

Terming a homestay as “gharoa hotei (homely hotel)”, the chief minister said: “They (tourists) can spend a night at your home. We will give you money so that a bio-toilet is installed as well as a cot and a television set. Tourists will pay you for lodging and food in the way they pay for staying in big hotels.”

“I want you all to stay well and this is one of the many initiatives that I have planned for you,” she added.

Mamata also asked the officials to take care of the aspects of infrastructure, particularly river connectivity, to draw tourists to various destinations in the Sunderbans.

She also spoke of preparing a master plan for the development of the region with the Centre’s financial assistance.

The state government intends to seek central funds to improve river banks and dykes, which are a perennial source of trouble for people in the delta and a burden on the state exchequer.

“The delta has limited scope for jobs,” admitted a government official. “Many men of the region migrate to states like Kerala to work in the fishing sector. Others work in the construction industry outside Bengal. But many migrant workers have returned home during the pandemic. There are only very few jobs for them. Hence, the call to exploit the tourism sector here has been made against this backdrop.”

Ashim Gyne, secretary of Gosaba-based Sundarban Tiger Widow Welfare Society, welcomed the proposal, but underlined the poor existing infrastructure such as “terrible” roads, “irregular” power supply and “poor” water supply that could become a hurdle to homestays.

“The government should improve these aspects before promoting homestays,” he said.