Mangrove Conservation & Restoration in Bangladesh

In a remarkable grassroots initiative of BEDS (Bangladesh Environment and Development Society) with communities in Dacope, Koilashganj, Sutarkhali, Kamarkhola, and Bajua unions have developed plot-based mangrove nurseries to cope up with climate change and protect the Sundarbans' fragile ecosystem. Located along the vulnerable coastline, these nurseries aim to produce mangrove saplings for mangrove restoration enhancing coastal protection while empowering local livelihoods. With active participation from villagers, including women and marginalized groups, the nurseries focus on propagating native mangrove species like Avicennia, Sonneratia and Nypa. The project involves training programs on seed collection, germination, and transplantation, ensuring the community’s self-reliance in managing the nurseries.

The nurseries are designed with raised beds in the river bank side into the selected plots to counter salinity and water inundation. The mangrove restoration efforts have already yielded significant environmental benefits, such as improved biodiversity, enhanced natural barriers against tidal surges, and increased carbon sequestration. Socio-economically, the initiative has generated employment, empowered women, and provided supplementary income through sapling production and plantation

This community-driven effort not only underscores the potential of local action in climate adaptation but also sets a precedent for scaling up mangrove restoration projects across vulnerable coastal regions. The nurseries symbolize hope for both the Sundarbans' ecological future and the well-being of the people who depend on it.

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Cyclones and tidal surges are common scenario in the coastal area of Bangladesh. Due to the cyclone hit many of the people suffer in the coast. Only mangroves can save the coastal people. One of the most devastating cyclone Remal hit on the coast in the month of May 24. The highest recorded wind speed was 111 km/h and the storm surge, accompanied by extremely heavy rainfall, caused flooding of 5-8 feet in the coastal districts. Over 173,000 houses were damaged, including 40,338 that were completely uninhabitable. About 80,591 hectares of cultivable land were inundated. Additionally, 50,000 fish enclosures, 34,000 ponds, and 4,000 crab farms were severely flooded, disrupting food supply chains, and exacerbating livelihoods and food insecurity. More than 530,000 farmers have been affected by damage to crops worth BDT 10,595 million (USD 90.7 million). (IFRC, 1 Jul 2024)

BEDS (Bangladesh Environment and Development Society) is always working for coastal protection by planting mangroves in the river bank side. According to the comparison it was proved that where the forest exist less damage was appeared but where there was empty land a lot of damage was occurred. So, the local community of Sutarkhali, Dacope, Khulna decided to plant mangroves at their empty places for the coastal protection.

BEDS and Korea Green Foundation (KGF) arranged a mangrove education program and plantation ceremony at Sutarkhali which is funded by Green Alliance by Hanwha Japan. The inaugural ceremony was organized by the local community. They invited the school teachers of Shital Chandra Higher Secondary School, Local government representative, BEDS and the community people. There the school teachers and BEDS team discussed about the importance of mangroves and about mangrove plantation. BEDS team aware the people and discussed how mangroves play roles in disaster period. The most common problem is now is the riverbank erosion. The local government welcomed the 10 steps Community Based Ecological Mangrove Restoration (CBEMR). After discussion community people arranged a rally and plant mangroves in 2ha of riverbank land. With this supportive initiative community people are preparing seed bed to develop a plot nursery for the mangrove saplings. Not only these the whole community is working for creating a forest by fencing, planting mangroves and taking care of the plot.

We are requesting all our donors to start monthly recurring donation. Please click the following

https://www.globalgiving.org/projects/mangrove-plantation-for-coastal-protection/