Kolkata, Oct 15 (PTI) In a unique suggestion, Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Wednesday advocated planting mangroves and vetiver plants in the foothills of North Bengal to create a natural barrier on the banks of rivers and prevent catastrophe during heavy rains.

Citing the example of Gangasagar in the Sunderbans, where mangroves stood like walls against cyclones and rains, she said five crore mangrove plants were sown in the coastal region, and the move yielded results. "Like Sunderbans, we need to erect natural barriers in the hills and foothills to combat natural calamities. Concretes will not work here as they collapse after six months in the face of surging waters and landslides," she commented at the administrative meeting.

"We need to have a lasting solution to the recurrent pro

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