Addressing a gathering at Jharkhali in Sunderbans, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said on Monday that the industrialists accompanying her on the trip would invest in the tourism industry, which would result in employment generation for the local youths.

Describing proposed tourism projects in Sunderbans as pro-people and pro-environment, Ms. Banerjee announced that land had been identified for the world’s first mangrove zoo which will house rare and endangered animals of the Sunderbans.

“The project will be completed in five years,” she said. It will cost Rs. 25 crore.

Ms Banerjee also said that she would ‘do whatever it takes’ to make Sunderbans the primary destination for tourists.

Ms. Banerjee also inaugurated a Tiger Rescue Centre, which will have capacity to look after six injured tigers.

“We have given about Rs. 2 crore for the project,” she said. Ms. Banerjee laid the foundation stone of the Rs. 400 crore eco-tourism project that will come up under public-private partnership.

She also inaugurated a bridge that will connect Mathurapur and Patharpratima in South 24 Parganas.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Kolkata / by Staff Reporter / Kolkata – December 09th, 2014