Tk 3.38cr Project to Restore Sonadia’s Biodiversity

Red crabs are roaming around Sonadia Island.

The interim government has launched a Tk 3.38 crore project to restore the biodiversity of Sonadia Island, known for its mangrove forests and diverse wildlife.

Preliminary surveys have already been conducted on the island, along with consultations with local residents to identify priorities for ecological restoration and livelihood support.

According to officials, the project aims to enhance the capacity of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, the Department of Environment, and the Forest Department in natural resource management and climate resilience.

Under the initiative, illegal occupation of the island will be removed, river mouths and canals will be cleared to restore tidal flows, degraded beaches and sandbars will be rehabilitated, and mangrove and non-mangrove species will be replanted. A long-term environmental restoration plan will also be developed.

A monitoring team led by Deputy Secretary (Planning-2) Fahmida Hoque Khan visited the island on October 26 to assess conditions and gather community feedback. The team inspected several areas and spoke with residents about biodiversity conservation and livelihood improvement.

Khondaker Mahmud Pasha, Deputy Director (Current Charge) of the Department of Environment in Cox’s Bazar, said residents provided valuable suggestions on restoring the island’s ecological balance. These proposals will be incorporated into the project’s implementation, he added.

He noted that the island’s natural beauty has suffered severe damage over the years, particularly due to illegal shrimp farming, deforestation, and unregulated land use. Restorative measures are therefore essential to revive its once-thriving ecosystem.

Sonadia Island, located about 12 kilometres from Cox's Bazar and covering approximately 9,000 hectares, was once home to red crabs, sea turtles, and hundreds of bird species, including the now-extinct Sand Piper. Large-scale encroachment and environmental degradation have since threatened many species of plants, animals, and marine life.

In recent years, environmental concerns prompted the cancellation of a previous land allocation for an eco-tourism project, returning the land to the Forest Department for conservation purposes.

Environmental groups note that the island once supported 567 plant species, 152 mollusk species, 21 crab species, nine shrimp species, 207 fish species, 12 amphibians, 19 reptiles, and 206 bird species. Many of these have declined due to climate pressure and habitat destruction.

Experts believe that if the current project is implemented effectively, Sonadia Island’s ecosystem could recover significantly, contributing to national conservation efforts and strengthening Bangladesh’s climate resilience.