Tamluk, May 7: The Digha administration has decided to plant a large number of casuarina trees along the coastline where such forests have depleted because of subsequent cyclones and felling of trees.

The lush forests of casuarina or jhow trees had attracted the Bengal government's attention in the late 1950s, when it decided to develop Digha into a tourist destination. Such an attraction were the forests that they even inspired a song by Pintu Bhattacharya: "Cholona dighar soikot chere/ jhow boner chhaye chhaye (lets go from the Digha beach to the shadows of the jhow forest)".

But over the years, the forests gradually depleted in many areas because of storm and theft of the trees for firewood.

"Following instruction from chief minister Mamata Banerjee, we have taken up the initiative to plant about one lakh jhow saplings every year to restore the beach to its glory. We want to develop the lush forests again along the 20km coastline from Digha to Mandarmani. Eventually, they will resemble the thick growth of coconut trees in Goa," said Akhil Giri, the vice-chairman of the Digha-Shankarpur Development Authority.

"A section of unscrupulous villagers has been felling the trees over the past three or four years. Subsequent storms and cyclones have also taken a toll on the trees. The forests have depleted now," he added.

Sources said jhow tress were felled for firewood and to fortify the banks of ponds and roof frames of thatched or tiled houses.

Indrajit Basu, the additional superintendent of police of Contai, said the Digha and Mandarmani coastal police stations and the one in Ramnagar, which man the coastline, had been alerted against the theft of jhow trees.

"We have asked these police stations to step up vigil near the forests. The police have been instructed to keep regular contact with local people so that we get information about the theft of trees," the additional SP said.

Police officers said they had started investigating the thefts.

"We have found that the logs are kept hidden at a spot for a few days after the trees are felled. They are then cut into pieces at night and taken away in boats. The villagers avoid using the road because of police patrol," said a police officer in Digha.