Mangrove Restoration for Coastal Protection

BEDS (Bangladesh Environment and Development Society) is extremely concerned with Sundarbans mangrove flagship ecosystem conservation and has been working to conserve this priceless mangrove forest since 2010. To conserve the ecosystem, the organization has been working on livelihood improvement of the resource dependant people, education, day celebration etc. 

Yesterday was 14^th February 2021; widely known as World Valentine Day. But this day has been celebrated as Sundarbans Day in Bangladesh since 2001. BEDS has celebrated the day in Uttor (North) Banishanta village under Banishanta union of Dacope sub district of Khulna district in Bangladesh which is close to the Sundarbans mangrove forest. Theme of the day was love Sundarbans on Valentine Day. Around 30 villagers (children, male and female) participated in that program. On this day BEDS organized a discussion session on the importance of the day, significance of mangrove ecosystem and necessity of local people to conserve this ever degrading ecosystem. Representatives of BEDS provided motivational speech. Then participants were asked to write down how they can contribute to conserve the Sundarbans forest. Then the participants write their opinions and pasted on a paper. After that they participated in a mangrove plantation event where 100 mangrove saplings were planted. After the plantation activity, they assured to protect the planted mangroves by themselves.

We are really grateful to our donors for their support so far and request all our donors to start monthly recurring donations for the betterment coastal environment of Bangladesh.

BEDS has started the mangrove plantation activities in the Sundarbans coastal region that is Paschim Dhangmari village under Banishanta Union of Dacope Sub district of Khulna district of Bangladesh. We have planted only 500 mangroves on the day of mangrove plantation inauguration ceremony. We will plant 20,000 mangroves under this initiative by this month.

In the Sundarbans coastal region of Bangladesh, there is enough livestock like cow, goat, sheep etc. which can destroy small saplings if proper measure is not taken. So, we have made a good fence with bamboo and net to protect the area where 500 mangroves have been planted. We engaged the local villagers to make the fence. We also recruit a guard to take care of the planted mangrove saplings. We have had several discussions with local people to protect the planted mangrove saplings from livestock. We always mentioned them that plantation is very easy but taking proper care of the planted saplings is difficult. We have discussed with local government representative too. They mentioned that sometimes they will visit the plantation site and monitor the progress so that local people may engage with the plantation activities more smoothly. We hope that all the planted saplings will be alive contribute for coastal protection.   

Here we would like to show our humble gratitude to all the donors for their excellent contribution for us so far. We are requesting all our donors to start monthly recurring donations for the betterment environment.