The Bengal environment secretary told a climate meeting on Monday that the state had a “15 per cent rain deficiency in the last two monsoons, which significantly affected our agriculture”.

“There are also climate-related issues in the hill areas, but the climate change impact on the Sunderbans is most critical and needs to be highlighted during the next climate COP (conference of parties)”, said Prabhat Mishra, state environment secretary.

The official said about 300km of choked creeks in the Sunderbans have been desilted. The meeting was jointly organised by the British deputy high commission in Calcutta and the Indian Chamber of Commerce.