Sundarbans gets Coast Guard station

To provide coastal security in the sea areas off the islands of Sundarban, a new Indian Coast Guard (ICG) station was today commissioned at Frazerganj.
Two hovercraft will operate from the forward operating base in South 24-Parganas district and ensure regular surveillance of the international maritime boundary and the adjoining shallow water area, officials said.
Various maritime operations like anti-poaching, search and rescue, pollution response and anti-piracy will also be the mandate of the new Coast Guard station, ICG sources said.
It will coordinate with the state administration, police, customs, fisheries, forest department and other agencies including local fishermen to achieve an effective surveillance and security network, they said.

Sundarbans, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is an archipelago of 54 islands famous for housing mangrove forests and the Royal Bengal Tiger.
On the south of the delta lies the Bay of Bengal and international maritime boundaries.

Financial Advisor (Defence Services) Arunava Dutt said the ICG has been maintaining a high state of vigil off the West Bengal coast. It has saved human lives during search and rescue operations and aided the state administration during cyclones, floods and other natural calamities.
He praised the key role played by the service in protection and preservation of maritime environment and endangered species.

Commander Coast Guard Inspector General K C Pande stressed the need for maintaining continuous vigil on this strategically important maritime zone.
He said Coast Guard has initiated several far-reaching measures to augment force levels and manpower to meet existing and future maritime challenges.
Commandant Rajendra Swaroop has been appointed Commanding Officer of ICGS Frazerganj.