Guwahati, March 1 -- byArunima Kar

Gopal Sarkar, a 54-year-old farmer from Jalpaiguri district in the northern part of West Bengal, faced difficulties cultivating vegetables this past winter. His one-hectare plot is covered by a 4-5 feet layer of sand and silt, hampering its productivity due to the recent Sikkim flood.

"Every year, at this time, I grow potatoes, green peas, bottle gourd, cabbage, cauliflower and various other vegetables that are in high demand in the market. However, this year, I have barely planted anything. The entire field lies empty and barren," Gopal Sarkar, whose farm is in the Gajoldoba barrage region in the Mal subdivision of Jalpaiguri, told Mongabay-India.

He is one of many farmers affected by the October 202...