State PCS - West Bengal (WBCS)

• 19 Aug 2025

Shramashree Scheme for Migrant Workers

Why in News? 

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced the introduction of the Shramashree scheme to provide monthly cash incentives to migrant workers who return to the State after facing harassment in other States. 

Key Features of Shramashree Scheme 

• About: The scheme is designed to support around 22 lakh Bengali-speaking migrant workers who are registered with Bengal’s migrant workers’ portal. 
• Financial Assistance: Migrants returning to Bengal will receive a one-time grant of ₹5,000 to help cover their travel expenses. 
  • A ₹5,000 monthly financial assistance will be provided for up to one year or until the migrant secures employment. 
• Additional Support: 
  • Free Ration: Beneficiaries will be granted Khadya Sathi ration cards for food security. 
  • Healthcare: Migrants will be provided with Swasthya Sathi health insurance cards for free healthcare. 
  • Education: Migrants’ children will be enrolled in state schools to ensure their education continues without interruption. 
  • Accommodation: For those without housing, community kitchens and accommodation will be provided. 
  • Skill Development: Under the Utkarsha Bangla scheme, returning migrants will receive skills training to enhance employability.  
    • They will also be given job cards under the Karmashree scheme. 
• Registration: Migrants will be able to register through the Shramashree portal. Each registered worker will receive a Shramashree card, granting them access to the benefits. 
  • The process will be monitored by Bengal’s Chief Secretary and officials from the Labour Department. 
• Other Measures: A Migrant Workers’ Welfare Board has been set up for migrant workers to reach out for help and assistance. 
  • The Amader Para Amader Samadhan camps will provide relevant information and guidance to returning workers. 

Surge in Saltwater Crocodile Population in the Sundarbans

Why in News?

The 2024-25 population assessment and habitat ecology report on saltwater crocodiles (Crocodylus porosus) in the Sundarbans, released by the State Forest Department at the Sajnekhali Wildlife Sanctuary, highlights a modest increase in their population, signaling positive trends in the region's wildlife conservation efforts. 

Key Points

• Population Assessment: The population of saltwater crocodiles in the Sundarbans has increased, with the latest report indicating a range between 220 to 242 crocodiles, up from 204 to 234 in 2023-24. 
  • A total of 213 crocodiles were sighted during the exercise, a rise from the 168 seen in 2023-24. 
• Environmental and Habitat Insights: Crocodiles in the Sundarbans are typically found in creeks with widths ranging from 10-130 metres, preferring a salinity range of 10-23 parts per thousand (ppt) and temperatures between 20°C-30°C during the winter months. 
• Positive Trends in Hatchlings: The report notes an increase in hatchling sightings, a rare and encouraging sign for crocodile conservation in the region, suggesting a healthy reproductive trend. 

Key Facts Related to Salt-water Crocodiles 

• About: It is the largest of all crocodilians, and the largest reptile in the world. 
  • Female saltwater crocodiles are smaller in size than their male counterparts, normally reaching a maximum length of 2.5 to 3 m. 
  • They tolerate salinity and are found mostly in coastal waters or near rivers. They are also found in freshwater near rivers and swamps. 
• Distribution: Tropical to warm temperate latitudes in the eastern Indian and western Pacific oceans. 
• Habitat: Mangrove forests and other coastal habitats 
  • The Sundarbans (the largest mangrove forest), Bhitarkanika (India's second-largest mangrove forest), and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands are among the three major strongholds of saltwater crocodiles. 
• Prey: Juvenile saltwater crocodiles eat small insects, amphibians, and fish, while adults prey on crabs, turtles, birds, and mammals.  
  • They ambush prey by hiding in water, killing it with a snap of their jaws, and dragging it underwater to consume. 
• Conservation Status: 
  • IUCN Red list : Least Concern 
  • WPA, 1972: Schedule I 
  • CITES : Appendix I/II

Sundarbans 

• Location: The largest mangrove forest in the world, located in the delta of the Ganges, Brahmaputra, and Meghna rivers, on the Bay of Bengal. 
  • It is located 40% in India, with the rest in Bangladesh. 
• Ecosystem: Ecotone between land and sea (tropical and subtropical regions). 
  • Rich mix of habitats: freshwater swamps, intertidal mangroves, saline forests, and open water. 
• Global Recognition: 
  • UNESCO World Heritage Site: 1987 (India), 1997 (Bangladesh). 
  • Sundarban Wetland (India) recognized as a Ramsar site (Jan 2019). 
  • Project Tiger: Royal Bengal tigers are top predators, maintaining ecosystem balance.