Mangrove plantations are a nature-based solution to curb coastal erosion and shield against cyclones and storm surges. In the Sundarbans region of West Bengal, mangrove plantations gained popularity after cyclone Aila in 2009. The state government alone claims to have planted 185 million mangrove saplings and associated species in Sundarbans between 2020 and 2022, having spent about Rs. 600 million for the same. NGOs claimed to have planted a few million more saplings. But how have these project