The tradition began in 2001 when the first National Sundarbans Conference was held under the Bangladesh Environmental Movement (BAPA), with participation from Khulna University and 70 other environmental organizations. The conference declared February 14 as Sundarbans Day, and since then, it has been observed every year. This year marks the 25th celebration of the occasion.

Awareness Programs Across Coastal Regions

To honor this day, Sundarbans Academy in Khulna has planned several programs, including seminars, rallies, signature campaigns, painting competitions, bicycle rallies, human chains, and photography contests. Awareness activities will also take place in 17 sub-districts across five coastal districts identified as impact zones of the Sundarbans.

The theme for this year is “Love Sundarbans on the World’s Day of Love.” According to Professor Anwarul Kadir, Executive Director of Sundarbans Academy, the day’s main event will be held at Khulna Press Club in collaboration with the Forest Department. A key focus will be creating public awareness about protecting Sundarbans from plastic pollution and other environmental threats.

A Call for Official Recognition of Sundarbans Day

Professor A. B. M. Abdul Malek, Coordinator of the Sundarbans Protection Movement, has urged the government to recognize February 14 as an official Sundarbans Day. He emphasized that while the Sundarbans play a crucial role in Bangladesh’s survival, increasing salinity, illegal poaching, deforestation, and harmful fishing practices continue to threaten this fragile ecosystem. He called on the Forest Department and the government to take strong, practical measures to protect the forest.

The Vital Role of Sundarbans in Coastal Protection

People living in coastal regions understand the importance of Sundarbans better than anyone. Bidyesh Ranjan Mridha, a lecturer from Kapotakkho College in Koyra, said, “Without the Sundarbans, disasters would have wiped out Koyra long ago. To protect our own future, we must save the Sundarbans. Reducing pressure on the forest and creating alternative livelihoods for local communities is crucial.“
Illegal activities inside the forest, such as poaching and piracy, have also become a significant concern. Azizul Islam, a resident of Bedkashi village, said, “Forest crimes, such as deer and tiger poaching, are on the rise. Today, on Sundarbans Day, we urge the authorities to take immediate action to eliminate these threats.“

The Rich Biodiversity of Sundarbans

According to the Forest Department, the Bangladesh part of the Sundarbans covers 6,017 square kilometers and is home to:

• 528 plant species
• 505 wildlife species, including
  • 49 mammals
  • 87 reptiles
  • 14 amphibians
  • 355 bird species

As per the 2023 wildlife survey, Sundarbans is home to:

• 136,604 spotted deer
• 152,444 monkeys
• 47,515 wild boars
• 25,124 monitor lizards
• 12,241 porcupines

The most recent 2024 survey confirms the presence of 125 Bengal tigers.

The Need for Stronger Conservation Efforts

Mihir Kumar Doe, Conservator of Forests (Khulna region), stressed that the Sundarbans are critical to Bangladesh’s environment and climate resilience. He said,
“We must protect this natural shield at all costs and stop all activities that harm the Sundarbans. While the Forest Department is actively working to prevent forest crimes, protecting Sundarbans requires mass awareness and collective action.”

A Shared Responsibility

The Sundarbans are not just a forest; this is Bangladesh’s lifeline. Without this mangrove shield, the country would face devastating climate disasters, endangering millions of lives. As communities, organizations, and policymakers come together on Sundarbans Day, the message is clear—love for nature must translate into action.

By ensuring sustainable conservation efforts, promoting eco-friendly policies, and providing alternative livelihoods for local communities, Bangladesh can safeguard the Sundarbans for generations to come.

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This three-year partnership is a crucial part of Hyundai Motor’s ongoing IONIQ Forest project, which was initiated in 2016 with the aim of creating sustainable forests worldwide. These forests serve as carbon sinks, protect biodiversity, and improve the livelihoods of local communities.

In the inaugural year of their collaboration, Hyundai, IUCN, and GNI are planning to plant an impressive 120,000 mangrove trees in Ca Mau province. These trees will primarily belong to the Rhizophora and Avicennia species and will be strategically planted in integrated mangrove shrimp farms. This approach not only supports sustainable aquaculture practices but also contributes to the preservation of the delicate ecosystem and enhances the community’s resilience to climate change.

The benefits of these integrated farms are multifaceted. They help in carbon sequestration, boost biodiversity, and act as a natural barrier against natural disasters. The natural tidal flows in the water maintain its cleanliness, significantly reducing the risk of diseases. Furthermore, the shrimp produced in these farms are highly sought after and fetch premium prices in both local and international markets.

Interestingly, the mangrove-shrimp landscape in Ca Mau has the potential to earn the designation of ‘other effective area-based conservation measure (OECM)’. This designation is a novel approach to protect land or water outside of formally protected areas and is already recognized in the latest Global Biodiversity Framework.

Vietnam holds a special place in Hyundai Motor’s future mobility strategy in the ASEAN region. The company is striving to become the first global brand to launch a CKD EV model in Vietnam, solidifying its commitment to a sustainable future in the region.

The partnership with IUCN and GNI aligns with the Global Standards on Nature-based-Solutions (NbS) launched by IUCN in 2020. These standards aim to protect, sustainably manage, and restore nature to address societal and environmental challenges. The reforestation project in Ca Mau is expected to play a pivotal role in promoting NbS by increasing mangrove cover in shrimp farms. In the long term, this integrated mangrove shrimp landscape could contribute to Vietnam’s commitment to the 30×30 target, established at the CBD COP15 in Montreal in December 2022.

Vietnam’s vulnerability to sea-level rise and storms, given its extensive 3,000-kilometer coastline, makes this initiative all the more critical. Ca Mau Province, in particular, faces the risk of flooding, saltwater intrusion, and coastal erosion. Hyundai Motor’s project not only enhances resilience to climate change but also promotes sustainable livelihoods in the region.

The IONIQ Forest project or mangrove reforestation is part of Hyundai Motor’s overarching ‘Hyundai Continue’ initiative, a global effort dedicated to creating shared value (CSV) in line with the brand’s vision of ‘Progress for Humanity.’ In addition to Vietnam, Hyundai Motor has undertaken the IONIQ Forest project in various countries worldwide, with the ambitious goal of planting one million trees by 2024.

The ‘Hyundai Continue’ initiative focuses on three key areas: ‘Continue Earth,’ highlighting the commitment to environmental protection and climate change mitigation; ‘Continue Mobility,’ dedicated to advancing technology for more accessible and safer mobility solutions; and ‘Continue Hope,’ focusing on nurturing young talent and educating future generations.

Hyundai Motor’s collaboration with IUCN and GNI marks a significant step towards a greener and more sustainable future for Vietnam and the world. As the global automotive leader strives to make a positive impact on the environment, this initiative is a testament to their dedication to progress for humanity and a brighter, more sustainable future.

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Is restoration necessary?

Fisheries support the livelihoods and financial security of small – scale fishers and make significant contributions to the growth of the national economy. However, overfishing and damaging fishing techniques may result in fewer fish in the sea, which could negatively impact the way of life and economy of coastal towns.

Every year, the importance of coastal ecology to human health tends to decline. This is a result of conflicting land uses, overfishing, pollution, urban growth, aquaculture businesses, and mangrove logging, as well as the management of coral reefs and mangrove forests. The life of a fisherman is in danger if the coastal areas are damaged. Therefore, it is crucial to take conservation efforts that address the problems with coastal fishermen’s way of life.

One of the most crucial methods for providing biologically based solutions for food insecurity, reducing and adapting to climate change, and preserving biodiversity is ecosystem restoration.

Coastal ecosystems offer a variety of goods and services that contribute to and support human needs while acting as a natural barrier against destructive forces like high tides, tsunamis, and cyclones. Restoring degraded ecosystems can prevent extensive carbon emissions while increasing carbon sequestration in the restored area.

Numerous natural environmental processes in coastal locations have been impacted by aquaculture activities. This has caused a wide range of problems, such as a decline in biodiversity, extreme pollution, erosive processes, and rising sea levels as a result of climate change. In actuality, one of the most endangered habitats on Earth is the shoreline.

In order to attain and enhance the sustainability of ecosystem services and food security, coastal ecosystems must effectively manage, mitigate, and reduce the drivers and dangers of deterioration.

Ways of coastal ecosystem restoration:

Reducing tillage, using organic fertilizer, managing pests, raising a wider variety of crops, including trees, are all ways to restore them. By doing these actions, soils can replenish their carbon stores and become more fruitful. It will allow nations to feed their expanding people without requiring even more land.

Some efforts should be made to help restore the coastal habitats such as utilizing reusable shopping bags, water bottles, and utensils. Limiting the use of plastic and releasing poisons are effective ways. Moreover, harming sea life such as turtles, birds and fish should be controlled.

Reducing harmful environmental, societal effects like pollution are the main restorative activities. Sustainable use and management of ecosystem resources are needed to restore it. Removing contaminants, pollutants, and other threats known as remediation process.

Recent research has shown that the national ecological restoration projects’ execution has increased ecosystem services. These include the management of soil erosion, water retention, flood mitigation, and biodiversity preservation.

Therefore, it is essential to formulate an integrated policy in order to save coastal ecosystems. It helps to provide high levels of well being for society and the country. To speed up and broaden Bangladesh’s economic development, such an approach should also take into account the country’s maritime and fisheries policies.

The most important actions that need to be taken to move toward sustainable aquaculture fisheries are good management and implementation of the best culture system, monitoring fishing practices, enforcing penalties for rule violations, adequate management of the effluents, and improving research and legislation related to evaluation and solutions for impacts of aquaculture and fisheries.

Farhana Islam
Agriculturist, Researcher
Fisheries Resource Management, CVASU

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