Saving Hotnagar: A Community-Led Green Initiative for Riverbank Protection

Date: 19 July 2026

Time: 11:00 AM

Location: Hotnagar Village, Berhampore Block, Murshidabad, West Bengal, India

Hotnagar, a small village in Murshidabad district of West Bengal, is facing a serious threat from riverbank erosion. The village is uniquely surrounded by an oxbow lake on its eastern side and the Bhagirathi River on its western side. Continuous erosion over the past few years has endangered the existence of the village and the livelihoods of its residents.

To address this challenge, the Irrigation Department of the Government of India constructed a nearly one-kilometre-long protective embankment. Recognizing that vegetation can strengthen embankments, improve ecological stability, and reduce soil erosion, Mission Green Universe Foundation initiated a Mega Tree Plantation Drive along the newly constructed embankment.

This initiative aims to combine scientific ecological restoration with active community participation to ensure the long-term protection of Hotnagar.

Objectives

Strengthen and stabilize the newly constructed river embankment.

Protect Hotnagar village from future riverbank erosion.

Restore ecological balance through native tree plantation.

Support the objectives of the Namami Gange Mission.

Conserve local biodiversity.

Inspire youth to participate in climate action and environmental conservation.

Promote environmental awareness among all sections of society.

Planning and Preparation

The programme was carefully planned through a participatory approach.

The representatives of Mission Green Universe Foundation, together with environmentally conscious villagers, conducted a detailed field survey of the newly constructed one-kilometre embankment along the Bhagirathi River.

Following the survey:

Discussions were held with officials of the Irrigation Department.

Technical guidance regarding suitable tree species and planting methods was obtained.

Appropriate native tree species and planting height were finalized.

Meetings with village residents were organized to ensure community participation.

The plantation date was fixed after mutual consultation.

Environmentalists, government officials, volunteers and citizens were invited through social media campaigns and personal outreach.

Tree Species Planted

The plantation mainly included indigenous tree species suitable for riverbank stabilization:

Banyan (Ficus benghalensis)

Peepal (Ficus religiosa)

Pakur (Ficus infectoria)

Arjun (Terminalia arjuna)

Siris (Albizia lebbeck)

Mango (Mangifera indica)

Gamari (Gmelina arborea)

Other native species

Participation

Approximately 200 participants joined the programme, including:

Environmental activists from different parts of Murshidabad District

Head Teacher of Hotnagar Primary School

School students

Local villagers (both men and women)

Volunteers and nature lovers

The programme reflected an excellent example of community participation in climate resilience.

Organised By

Mission Green Universe Foundation

Supported By

CINI Murshidabad

Gach Green Hands Welfare Trust

Gorber Murshidabad

Dhannyaganga Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Sargachi Ramakrishna Mission Ashrama, Murshidabad

Distinguished Guests

The programme was attended by several eminent personalities, including:

Idris Ali (CINI Murshidabad)

Anshuman Thakur and Biplab Mondal (Gach Green Hands Welfare Trust)

Ardhendu Biswas, Founder & Secretary, Mission Green Universe Foundation

Santosh Kumar Ghosh, President, Mission Green Universe Foundation

Samrat Adhikari, Dhannyaganga Krishi Vigyan Kendra

Masadul Karim, Environmental Activist, Hariharpara

Numerous environmentalists, educators and community leaders.

Voices from the Programme

Chandragupta Babu, an environmental enthusiast from Berhampore, remarked:

“This is a landmark initiative for protecting both the village and the river. Such a large-scale ecological effort is rare in West Bengal.”

Prasenjit Sarkar, a resident of Hotnagar and Murshidabad District Registrar of Upabhokta Kendra, said:

“Our village was on the verge of disappearing due to the erosion of the Bhagirathi River. This plantation programme has given us new hope. We are fully committed to protecting these trees and the riverbank because the survival of our village depends on it.”

Prof. Anshuman Thakur, from Nurul Hasan College, Farakka, commented:

“Dedicated environmental leaders like Ardhendu Biswas can mobilize people across the district for meaningful ecological restoration. This initiative is truly a historic step towards saving an entire village.”

A local homemaker shared:

“During the monsoon it becomes very difficult to walk along this embankment. Once these trees grow and the road develops properly, it will greatly benefit the villagers.”

Expected Environmental Impact

Improved riverbank stability.

Reduced soil erosion.

Long-term protection of the embankment.

Enhanced biodiversity through native vegetation.

Increased carbon sequestration.

Improved microclimate and ecological health.

Greater community ownership of environmental conservation.

Stronger public awareness regarding climate resilience and sustainable development.

Conclusion

The Mega Tree Plantation Drive at Hotnagar demonstrates how community participation, scientific planning, and institutional collaboration can create effective nature-based solutions for climate adaptation.

By planting native trees along the Bhagirathi River embankment, Mission Green Universe Foundation and its partners have taken an important step toward safeguarding Hotnagar from erosion while promoting biodiversity conservation and environmental stewardship.

This initiative stands as a model for riverbank restoration and community-led climate action, showing that protecting nature is essential for protecting people and securing the future of vulnerable rural communities.

 

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