It’s time to stop asking for sacrifices and start making offers. The paradigm must shift from perpetual philanthropy to smart, market-based investment. This isn’t about commodifying nature; it’s about aligning our financial systems so that a healthy ecosystem becomes the foundation of a thriving local economy. The new bargain is simple: we invest in community-led enterprises that generate revenue from conservation, creating a powerful, self-funding loop of ecological and economic resilience.

This isn’t a theory; it’s a working model already delivering returns for people, planet, and investors. Let’s talk about few.

The Carbon Deal. Coastal communities restore mangrove forests, vital carbon sinks and storm barriers. In return, they sell verified carbon credits. The bargain: investors get high-integrity offsets; the planet gains carbon sequestration, biodiversity, and coastal protection; and communities secure a durable revenue stream.

The Sustainable Food Deal. Impact enterprises are equipping smallholder farmers with regenerative agriculture and climate-smart aquaculture techniques. The bargain: farmers’ yields and incomes rise, their environmental footprint falls, and investors tap into the growing market for sustainable goods, de-risked by improved community resilience.

The Eco-Tourism Deal. Community-owned lodges and guided experiences make wildlife and wilderness more valuable alive than exploited. Tourists get authentic experiences, local people gain pride and income, and investors back a business model where conservation is the core asset, not the collateral damage.

These examples reveal a transformative principle: the structure of finance dictates the behavior it produces. Grants can protect land, but investments build constituencies. They create durable incentives that align local communities, global capital, and the environment. This is how conservation becomes scalable, investable, and resilient beyond donor timelines.

For donors and Development Finance Institutions (DFIs), this is a strategic pivot—not a departure from purpose, but an evolution of method. Their role is to catalyze and de-risk a new asset class: climate-smart, community-based enterprise. Catalytic capital can take the first-loss position, fund technical assistance, and measure success not only in hectares or species but also in livelihoods secured, revenue generated, and tons of CO₂ sequestered.

By prioritizing private sector partners who embed conservation in their business models, whether through regenerative farming, sustainable aquaculture, eco-tourism, or carbon markets, DFIs can unlock a new generation of scalable impact enterprises. These models prove that conservation and commerce can reinforce one another rather than compete for survival.

The private sector, too, must evolve its role, not as a peripheral partner to philanthropy but as the engine of climate resilience. Impact investors, local entrepreneurs, and market facilitators are showing that financial returns and ecological restoration can coexist, provided the incentives are structured correctly. The aim isn’t to monetize nature, but to mobilize capital toward its regeneration.

Philanthropy, meanwhile, has a new and vital role: not to sustain conservation indefinitely, but to prime the pump, absorbing early risk, building proof of concept, and paving the way for private capital. When used strategically, donor funding can shift from being a perpetual subsidy to a catalytic spark that draws in larger, longer-term investment.

The challenge is no longer scientific or moral, it’s financial. We know how to restore mangroves, regenerate soils, and protect coral reefs. What we lack is a financial architecture that rewards these actions as rational economic choices. It’s time to move beyond charity and build a marketplace where protecting the planet is not just virtuous, but valuable.

I urge all of us to rethink what investing in conservation means. Let’s not do it out of guilt or goodwill, but because it’s the smartest investment we can make — in our planet, our economies, and our shared future.

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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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Among the planet’s most significant and productive ecosystems are the mangrove forests found around tropical shores. Because of their immense potential to store carbon, trees play a vital role in preserving the coasts and stabilizing the global climate, among other things. The mangrove ecosystem is a highly specialized environment found in tropical and subtropical climates, between land and sea.

Numerous animal species have been observed to feed, breed, and find refuge in this habitat, making it their natural home. Numerous endangered and uncommon wildlife species, including the Gangetic dolphin, olive ridley turtle, water monitor lizard, and estuarine crocodile, can be found there.

Important ecosystem services and functions, such as food for local residents, fuel and building materials, traditional medicine, are provided by natural and intact mangrove forests. Mangrove forests also stop erosion, help with nutrient cycling, shield coastal areas from storm surges, and trap significant amounts of carbon. Situated in the Bay of Bengal’s delta, the Sundarbans are home to the world’s largest mangrove forests, the Ganges, Brahmaputra, and Meghna.

Threads for Mangrove Ecosystem:

In the last several years, mangrove forests around the world have drastically decreased—by 20 percent just since 1980. One of the main causes of their devastation, in addition to other natural and human-caused issues, is the unrestrained growth of aquaculture, particularly in South and Southeast Asian nations.

By 2050, there will likely be 10 billion people on the planet, which would increase need for protein. With 93.8% of fish stocks being fished at or beyond their maximum sustainable limit, aquaculture will play a critical role in supplying food in the future. In the near future, aquaculture production is expected to overtake wild-capture fisheries as the main source of protein for aquatic animals.

Mangrove loss in tropical and subtropical coastal regions has been linked to aquaculture. One of the most lucrative aquaculture commodities is farmed shrimp, which are cultivated in a range of production systems from extensive to intense, mostly in Southeast Asia and Latin America.

Historically, shrimp culture has been responsible for 38% of the world’s mangrove loss. The majority of shrimp aquaculture occurs in the intertidal zones of tropical coastlines, where intact mangrove forests are primarily found. These places also maintain high biodiversity and offer important ecosystem processes and services. Eight tropical countries that produce 83% of the world’s shrimp are thought to have converted 544,000 hectares of mangrove forest due to aquaculture. Although the primary cause of the decline in mangroves in Southeast Asia has shifted in recent times to aquaculture, pressure on these coastal ecosystems has not decreased.

What is IMA or Integrated Mangrove Aquaculture?

Notwithstanding these drawbacks, shrimp farming has the potential to greatly advance mangrove conservation and restoration as a major economic activity in mangrove areas. This holds true for various farm and community areas as well as aquaculture systems. There have been many requests for better sustainable aquaculture methods that preserve mangroves as a result of the widespread criticism that shrimp farming is to blame for the loss and degradation of mangrove forests. Integrated mangrove aquaculture (IMA) is one approach that has been put out to strike a balance between aquaculture production and mangrove protection.

Adoption of Integrated Mangrove Aquaculture Approaches:

A new shrimp farming project called Sustainable Aquaculture In Mangrove Ecosystem (SAIME) in the Sundarbans offers hope for the rehabilitation of mangroves. Scientists are thus focusing on the establishment of pilot aquaculture farms that make use of sustainable IMA (integrated mangrove aquaculture) systems as part of the SAIME (Sustainable Aquaculture in Mangrove Ecosystems) project. Mangroves are planted in the pond itself, in the water channels, and in the dams as part of this pond farming technique. Because of this, shrimp and mangroves can coexist together, and the ecology is protected.

Mangrove trees are incorporated into low-density shrimp and fish aquaculture systems, which are known as “silvofisheries,” or IMA for short. Mangrove forests are sometimes turned into ponds, leaving some of the mangroves intact; in other situations, mangroves are added to previously deforested regions to create shrimp pond areas. In Indonesia, milkfish and other species are also raised in IMA systems.

The rehabilitation of mangroves in the Sundarbans is given hope by the new sustainable shrimp farming venture. Bangladesh Environment and Development Society (BEDS) and Global Nature Fund (GNF) are spearheading the community-based project of sustainable shrimp farming. Since its launch in 2019, the initiative has developed a cooperative ecosystem that unites a number of important players from academia, research institutions, and government agencies to co-create and promote the project comprehensively.

In partnership with the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Kolkata’s Center for Excellence in Blue Economy (CoE-BE), a research program on the role of mangrove leaf litter in the nutritional dynamics of SAIME ponds has been launched

Mangroves are a type of coastal intertidal zone vegetation made primarily of trees and bushes. During severe weather, they stop erosion and absorb the effects of storm surges. The proliferation of huge aquaculture systems like IMA may jeopardize the remaining mangrove habitats because many shrimp farmers run large systems that require a lot of area for each unit of production. According to recent surveys conducted in Vietnam, Thailand, and India, most intensive aquaculture production currently takes place outside of typical mangrove habitat, meaning that the farms are not directly responsible for the degradation of mangroves.

The government’s and industry’s adoption of IMA approaches to balance ecosystem functions and services and biodiversity conservation with shrimp production seems inappropriate. With the fragmentation of forests in IMA systems and the possibility that they cannot support biodiversity and ecosystem functions and services comparable to intact mangrove stands.

Over time, rehabilitation of mangrove habitats can restore some of the benefits of intact mangrove ecosystems; nevertheless, the most important thing to do is to prevent conversion of the remaining mangrove habitats, which will protect the vital ecosystem services and functions.

Furthermore, there are significant differences in the financial and technological requirements between intensive systems and integrated aquaculture, which can create obstacles to intensification that could exclude small investors and result in ownership consolidations.

Farhana Islam
Agriculturist, Researcher
Fisheries Resource Management, CVASU

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A world-renowned ecosystem, the Sundarbans are considered to be one of the most complex and delicate on the planet. In total, it covers 44% of Bangladesh’s forest land and 4.2% of its total land area. The mangroves provide habitat for 210 fish species, 24 shrimp species, 14 crab species, 43 mollusk species, and more than 260 bird species. 

Besides performing ecological functions, the Sundarbans provide support for livelihoods as well. Approximately 3.5 million people live in the vicinity of the Sundarbans, and they are directly or indirectly dependent upon this forest. The mangrove forest provides the bulk of the livelihoods and subsistence for the rural residents who live within 20 km of the forest boundary, also known as the influence zone. The majority of the dependent population is illiterate and poor.

Furthermore, the production of domestic fisheries in Bangladesh is 1.7% derived from this mangrove forests. Fish products from this mangrove forest brought in US$ 158,368 in 2014–2015, with an estimated 10.37 metric tons (MT) of fish collected daily from the Sundarbans.

This incredible ecosystem, however, is under threat due to several factors, including Poison fishing.

The poison used in the Sundarbans may persist for months or even years, reducing aquatic species’ reproduction capacities, affecting their health, and reducing their numbers. Pesticide-laden water can affect fish in the deep sea when it flows into the sea.

An further repercussion of illicit fishing operations is the disturbance of the food chain in the impacted regions, which poses a risk to the forest’s aquatic biodiversity. It is not just fish that are being killed by such illegal activities, but all kinds of marine life are also being negatively affected. In this way, fish worth crores were poisoned each year, and breeding was severely hindered. Having consumed poison, these fish are also being sold in the markets, posing serious health concerns for the general public.

Experts claim that several causes are responsible for these wrecking actions.

Residents of the Sundarbans were limited in their income sources because of periodic fishing bans imposed by the government. They use poison fishing systems and illegal fishing nets when they are allowed to enter the forest for a brief time.

Abdul Alim, a Khulna district resident who lives on the Sundarban’s southern periphery, explains the poison fishing process. 

“It’s a syrup that they use as a poison. Within minutes of spilling some water in the water body, fishes, crabs, and other aquatic species will crawl to the shore in order to save their lives,” he said.

“In this way, fishermen are able to catch a good amount of fish in the shortest amount of time, he explained.

“Those who use poison for fishing usually use engine-driven boats so they can escape without being caught,” he added.

Generally, poisoned fish are dried in remote areas inside the forest before being sold as dried fish on the local market because local people will not buy them.

Fishermen and merchants’ greed is another reason for poison fishing. Fishermen are triggered by the idea of “catching more fish in less time.”

In fact, poisoned fishing yields a quick harvest with a lot less labor involved. As a result, fishermen are immediately attracted to such activities.

Another reason is the lack of monitoring and law enforcement. In addition, some have pointed to unscrupulous forest department officials accepting bribes from fishermen in forest sanctuaries. Therefore, they allow fishermen to do whatever they want.

“An influential syndicate has influenced a group of fishermen in the Sundarbans to poison fish. In addition to affecting fish, this practice also harms aquatic animals as a result of water pollution,” said Prof Anwarul Qadir, Sundarbans Academy executive director.

And finally, the lack of knowledge also contributes to this situation. The majority of fishermen don’t realize the long-term effects of this type of fishing. Their happiness is based on getting adequate yields.

However, poison fishing has already started having an impact on Sundarbans areas. According to Golam Rasul Howladar, a fisherman from Sundarbans, this situation is dire.

The increase in poison use by fishermen has caused fish populations to decline and has even affected bird populations since birds feed on the surviving fish.

“Previously, fishing in the Sundarbans provided a significant livelihood for the families, but fishing opportunities are limited today. The family can no longer survive solely by fishing in the forest. It is hard for us to make ends meet now,” he added.

It is imperative that the Government takes action to address the dire situation. According to experts, scientific methods should be used to decide whether to limit access to the forest. Families of fishermen should get social security during the fishing prohibition to help with their financial difficulties. Experts also recommend providing alternative livelihood options to forest-dependent communities.

Jaber Bin Abdul Bari
Department of Oceanography, NSTU

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Nirmal Kumar Mandal, the leader of the forest department’s smart patrol team, provided details of the operations, stating that during patrolling in the Kalir Khal area of Gahin forest, three fishermen were spotted in a boat. Upon being asked to produce valid permits for entering the Sundarbans, they failed to do so. Consequently, a search of the boat led to the discovery of 200 illegal crab fishing traps, and the three fishermen were promptly arrested.

Subsequently, the smart patrol team raided the Pushpakathi Canal area of the Sundarbans using a trawler. However, upon sensing the raid, fishermen abandoned seven boats and fled the scene. Although no arrests were made, seven boats and 700 tons of illicit crab fishing equipment were seized.

Assistant Conservator of Forests of Khulna Range, A ZM Hasanur Rahman, emphasized that crab harvesting is officially prohibited in the Sundarbans during January and February, which are the breeding months for crabs. Despite this prohibition, some unscrupulous fishermen have been intercepted by forest guards while illegally entering the Sundarbans and engaging in crab fishing. In such instances, their boats and crab fishing paraphernalia are confiscated, and the arrested individuals will face legal proceedings under the Forest Act, leading to their subsequent imprisonment.

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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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Shrimp farming that is sustainable safeguards the environment, benefits the communities that depend on it, and ensures stable profits. Shrimp farmers can reduce environmental impact and ensure the sustainability of the industry by implementing sustainable shrimp farming practices, such as closed-system ponds and recirculating aquaculture systems. A sustainable farming practice can also enhance the farm’s reputation and marketability.

Vietnam can be an example of sustainable shrimp farming in the world. The shrimp farming industry has been a big part of the Vietnamese economy for decades. In Vietnam, Penaeus monodon, the scientific name for giant tiger prawns, is the most widely produced product. This ASEAN member produces 816 thousand metric tons annually, making about 37% of all world output.

In spite of its profitable nature, shrimp farming in rural Vietnam is extremely uncertain because of diseases. Precarious rainfall and climate change contribute to the problem, making disease control more difficult.

Despite these challenges, farmers are tackling them in a variety of ways. Farmers in the Mekong delta, for instance, cultivate shrimp using an ecosystem-based approach. Mekong Delta farms produce nearly 95% of all the Black Tiger Prawns harvested in Vietnam.

Earlier in 2013, a program named Mangroves and Markets (MAM) began in this region. Integrated shrimp farming, an environmentally beneficial mode of production, will be used by small-scale intense and enhanced extensive shrimp growers as part of the initiative.

The government also provided farmers with training in organic shrimp growing; some also got financial support for remodeling their shrimp ponds and for locating shrimp seed from authorized hatcheries. As a result, farmers protect mangroves and offer certified organic shrimp to global customers who are willing to pay higher prices for organic seafood.

There are also some initiatives being tested in Vietnam. A notable initiative has been taken by Vietnam-Australia JSC, a foreign-invested shrimp farming company. They pioneered a project called super intensive farming throughout the country. This super intense strategy is undertaken by relocating shrimp farms inside glass houses under strict management.

In addition, farmers now use molecular diagnostic test kits on-site that are convenient, hassle-free, and precise. The analysis allows shrimp farmers to identify diseases in their farms. By detecting diseases immediately, they are able to curb losses from diseases.

There is great potential for sustainable shrimp farming in Vietnam in the future. With state and private interests aligning, Vietnam’s shrimp industry is steadily moving toward more sustainable, stable production methods.

By 2050, Vietnam aims to export $10 billion worth of shrimp, presenting a vast and untapped market. In recognition of this potential, the Vietnamese government actively supports the industry’s sustainable development.

While Vietnam has become a leader in sustainable shrimp farming, Bangladesh offers the opposite example.

In Bangladesh, shrimp farming has expanded rapidly in largely unplanned and unregulated ways. The regulatory efforts to curb the expansion have largely been ineffective.

Both environment and society are adversely affected by this haphazard and unplanned method of shrimp farming. For example, a large portion of the 75 km² of mangrove vegetation that existed in 1975 in the ‘Chakaria Sundarbans’ has been cleared for shrimp farming, leaving a sparse scrub forest of 9.73 km².

A way to improve the sustainability of the shrimp farming industry in Bangladesh would be by introducing Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) into the industry so that it could become more sustainable. To implement ICZM on a large scale, four key areas must be addressed in order for it to be successful;

1. Financing
2. Scientific and Technological Means
3. Human Resource Development
4. Capacity-building.

Furthermore, a community-based monitoring system may be the most promising approach to reducing the impacts of shrimp farming on society, the economy, and the environment The shrimp industry plays a significant role in the economic development of a country as it offers employment opportunities and drives the growth of the GDP. Despite this, this vital sector is faced with mounting competition and a variety of challenges that require innovative solutions. The development of sustainable practices in this vital sector can be promoted when countries address these challenges through sustainable means.

Jaber Bin Abdul Bari
Department of Oceanography, NSTU

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Sundarbans is the world’s biggest mangrove forest, located partially in the eastern Indian state of West Bengal and partly in Bangladesh. A delta between the rivers Ganges, Brahmaputra, Meghna, and the Bay of Bengal covers 30% of the forest.

Water and soil salinity in the Sundarbans’ area has grown considerably, with forecasts that several portions of the region might reach near ocean-level salinity by 2050. Because of significant siltation, sea level rise, climate change, and excessive aquaculture activities, salt levels in the Sundarbans have been continuously increasing.

Cyclones rose by 26% in the Bay of Bengal around the Sundarbans between 1881 and 2001. Furthermore, research has shown that the incidence of very severe cyclones in the post-monsoon season has increased significantly between 2000 and 2018.

“Salinity has grown at an alarming rate due to sea-level rise, storms, and land subsidence. The Sundarbans terrain is predicted to fragment significantly as a result of climate change, resulting in habitat loss for many endangered species.,” said Tuhin Ghosh, Associate Professor at Jadavpur University’s School of Oceanographic Studies.

Furthermore, shrimp farming has been the most brutal destruction of vast portions of Sundarbans. The number of shrimp ponds created around the outer edge for harvesting shrimp fry reduces the reserve site of the mangrove forest.

Vannamei shrimp, a non-native species, have been substituted with freshwater prawns, which flourish in the newly restored habitat. The rigorous fishing strain feed on prawn fry as well as other essential revering species that breed in coastal areas. It also degrades the environment of coastal habitats.

“The fast spread of brackish-water aquaculture in the Sundarbans create risks on long-term implications such as increased salinity, diminished biodiversity, and socioeconomic impacts,” said Tim Daw, a researcher at Stockholm Resilience Centre, who is one of the authors behind a study recently published in Ambio.

To combat such dire conditions, the Indian government has made a brave initiative. As a result, the excavation of the creeks began. The government, on the other hand, got World Bank assistance to expand the excavation operations.

However, creek excavation has improved the flow of fresh water, reduced salinity, and revolutionized farming patterns. 

The creeks increased water and sediment channelization has improved water flow and reduced stagnant pools where salt accumulated. These creeks additionally avoid salt water from getting into freshwater systems. Sediment removal from creeks helps to reduce accumulated salts, improving water quality.  The creeks also allowed for the growth of giant prawns, commonly known as ‘galda chingri’.

The Indian Sundarbans region has definitely recovered as a result of its embrace of this sustainable creek excavation initiative.

Jaber Bin Abdul Bari
Department of Oceanography, NSTU

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Alternative to removing forests to create a way for water bodies, integrated shrimp-mangrove aquaculture preserves at least fifty percent of the land for Rhizophora trees — the native tropical mangroves. In return, the trees provide shrimp, crustaceans, and fish with nutrients, nurseries, and reproductive grounds.

Therefore, this farming technique is practiced throughout the globe including the Mekong Delta of Vietnam.

For many years, ‘integrated shrimp-mangrove’ ponds in the southern Vietnamese province of Ca Mau, on the Mekong Delta, have been lauded for supplying low-cost organic products and stable harvests while preserving mangroves.

This year, however, the harvest is lower than usual, which farmers attribute to recent unusual weather.

During the arid season from December to May, unanticipated rain has altered the brackish water that shrimp require for survival. Moreover, colder-than-usual weather has made it difficult for shrimp to thrive.

“They must spend weeks hibernating in the mud,” says Thac, a 49-year-old farmer. While trapped in the freshwater, they consume very little. The majority die before they reach adulthood, he added.

He said that: “Our shrimp, crabs, fish, and mangroves depend entirely on the environment.” “And when it alters, it ruins everything up, and our wrists are tied,” Thac added.

Integrated mangrove shrimp cultivation is unquestionably lucrative for Thac and other farmers of the region. Since the system produces organic, nutritious prawns in three to four months. These are more expensive than conventionally produced shrimp, fetching up to USD 13 per kilogram, and are in customer demand on international markets such as the European Union.

Thac’s native district of Ngoc Hien, where 23,000 hectares are devoted to integrated shrimp mangrove cultivation, is where the system is most prevalent. However, this year it appears that luck is not on their side. And the majority of producers attribute these conditions to the climate. In fact, mangrove forests play a significant role in determining the climate of this tropical region.

On paper, it appears to be a win-win situation: both mangroves and farmers are benefited. The statistics also support this as the overall amount of mangrove decline in the Mekong Delta owing to aquaculture has decreased from 2,440 hectares annually between 1973 and 1990 to 1,490 hectares between 2010 and 2020.

But integrated farming creates the illusion that mangroves are being preserved, but this is not the case. Despite the attempts of the government and international organizations, mangroves continue to disappear. Changes in sea level, flooding, environmental impact, and the continual operation of upstream hydropower facilities have all contributed to the retreat of mangroves inland.

Furthermore, in recent years, precipitation during the wet season has increased in intensity and frequency, while it has decreased during the dry season. Therefore, the saline water of the Mekong Delta has gotten more salty and less suitable for the survival and growth of mangrove seedlings.

Moreover, tensions continue to exist between forest requirements and aquaculture industry demands. And both climate change, as well as the effects of upland dams, are aggravating the situation.

Therefore, it is not actually a win-win situation. Multiple farmers reported that the leaves of mangrove trees falling into their waters altered their condition. The tannic acid present in mangrove leaves can alter the pH levels of the water. When water parameters change as a result of this, shrimp die.

And compared to shrimp, whose rapid growth helps farmer’s families to profit every three months, it takes mangroves at least ten years to reach the optimal 12-centimeter diameter for timber harvesting which is a huge demerit for this integrated method.

The combined shrimp-mangrove systems were marketed as a ‘win-win’ proposition, but the actual situation proves otherwise. The matter of what can be done in this domain is therefore crucial.

Iris van Duren, a Dutch expert on pond ecology who has worked to promote awareness of the significance of mangroves and the integrated system for the Mekong Delta, states, “It’s a hard way, but there is surely hope.”

However, research indicates that financial incentives for farmers to maintain the mangroves on their land may be a more effective approach than punitive measures taken by regulators.

Jaber Bin Abdul Bari
Department of Oceanography, NSTU

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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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