In January 1994, a new Department viz. Sundarban Affairs was created to give an impetus to the development efforts in the Sundarban region and Sundarban Development Board has been placed under this Department. The Sundarban Affairs Department implements developmental activities through the Sundarban Development Board. The department promotes social, economic and cultural advancement of people residing in the Sundarban areas of the districts of North & South 24 Parganas, co-ordinates development schemes and projects in the area, provides infrastructural facilities through improvement of rural communication, water resources, preservation of ecological balance, provides facilities for the development of the agriculture including minor irrigation and drainage system and allied matters.In terms of Rules of Business framed under Article 166(3) of the Constitution of India , the Department of Sundarban Affairs is to perform the following functions of the Government:

Promotion of Socio - economic and Cultural Advancement of people residing in the Sundarban areas of the District of North 24 Parganas and South 24 Parganas; and financing, regulation and inspection of bodies established for the purpose.
All matters in connection with or in relation to the Constitution and functioning of the Sundarban Development Board. Co-ordination of development schemes and projects such as
i) Livelihoods: Agriculture, Pisciculture, Forestry 
ii) Water supply and sanitation
iii) Disaster risk management and erosion control 
iv) Energy  
v) Transportation
vi) Education
vii) Awareness creation etc in the Sundarban areas of the District of North and South 24 Parganas
All matters connected with infrastructural facilities through improvement of rural communications, water sources, and preservation of ecological balance, socio-economic and allied development programmes etc. in the Sundarban area of the Districts of North & South 24 Parganas.