Cyclone Aila, which struck West Bengal at the end of last month, has caused severe damage to Indian mangoes in the region.
Some local press reports even suggest that a number of rare mango varieties have been permanently lost. Batasha, Kohitar and Misrikando grown in Murshidabad have all been lost, according to one press report. The variety Champa is also now near extinction following the storm.
The regional mango growers’ association in Malda reported that the cyclone affected almost 60 per cent of its crop.
The state horticulture department in West Bengal said that a forecast two per cent increase in production this season has now been wiped out. The department is still reviewing losses and the scale of compensation growers might receive.
