Tengragiri: The Green Sea of Coastal Biodiversity Under Threat

Tengragiri Wildlife Sanctuary—also known as Tengragiri Ecopark or “Fatrarban”—is a vital part of Bangladesh’s coastal ecosystem. Covering more than 4,000 hectares in Barguna District, this sanctuary is a rich blend of mangrove forest, tidal creeks, beach, and wildlife. Yet despite its ecological significance, Tengragiri is increasingly under threat—from erosion, neglect, and lack of protection.

The Biodiversity Jewel of the Coast

Declared a wildlife sanctuary in 2010, Tengragiri forms part of a larger mangrove ecosystem locally known as Phatrar Ban.

Key Characteristics:

• The forest includes a mix of natural mangroves and plantations, and its tidal creek system supports aquatic life.

• Notable tree species include Keora, Gewa, Sundari, Karamcha, Bain, and Rain tree.

• The mangrove roots stabilize the coastline, provide shelter and breeding grounds for small fish, and help anchor the soil against salty tidal water.

Wildlife Diversity:

• Within the eco-park, there are enclosures for deer, wild boars, and fishing cats.

• There is a crocodile pond with adult estuarine crocodiles and hatchlings; monitoring of nesting has been recorded.

• Birdlife includes parakeets, doves, brown-winged kingfishers, weavers, and other mangrove-associated birds.

• Even insect life is abundant, with butterflies fluttering amid the trees, while red crabs scuttle across the tidal forest floor.

Ecotourism: Harmony of Forest and Sea

Tengragiri is not just ecologically important—it also offers a scenic experience for visitors.

• Visitors enter the sanctuary via a 50-metre wooden pier across the Sakhina canal, a narrow waterway that separates the wildlife area from human settlements.

• A red brick path guides tourists through the heart of the mangrove, passing several wildlife enclosures, before ending at a 3 to 4 km stretch of beach on the Bay of Bengal.

• The eco-park infrastructure includes toilets, rest spots, and bridges (some in need of renovation) maintained by the forest department.

• Tourists may spot monkeys, small reptiles, and the call of shorebirds while strolling the forest trail.

Environmental Threats and Decline

Despite its value, Tengragiri is showing signs of serious ecological stress:

Coastal Erosion

• The forest is losing ground to the Bay of Bengal. Soil erosion, driven by tidal surges and rising sea levels, is eroding tree roots and destabilizing the forest floor.

• According to forest experts, over 2,000 acres of Tengragiri have reportedly washed away into the sea because roots can no longer hold the soil.

Infrastructure Neglect

• Paths, wooden bridges, rest-houses, and visitor facilities are in poor condition, reducing the eco-park’s appeal and safety.

• The brick pathway is uneven in places, and canal-crossing bridges are broken, making it difficult for eco-tourists to reach key areas.

Wildlife Stress and Food Shortage

• According to Prothom Alo, animals in the sanctuary face food scarcity due to a lack of adequate management.

• Without intervention, the smaller animals and birdlife that depend on undergrowth and tidal creeks may decline further.

Illegal Logging

• Local reports confirm that illegal logging operations are ongoing in the area, with loggers exploiting weaknesses in forest protection.

• Despite the forest’s status, guard capacity is low, making it difficult to control felling and illegal tree extraction.

Climate Change Impact: A Coastal Frontline

Tengragiri is on the frontlines of climate change for several reasons:

1. Salinity Stress: Saline water intrusion weakens root systems of key mangrove species, making trees more vulnerable to being uprooted.

2. Sea-Level Rise: With rising tides, mangrove soils are increasingly waterlogged and eroded.

3. Storm Damage: Historical cyclones have already damaged the forest, and with climate change increasing storm intensity, the risk to the forest and its functions grows.

Loss of this forest would not only reduce biodiversity but also weaken natural coastal defenses, removing a natural barrier against storms and erosion.

Conservation and Management: What’s Being Done

Several management and conservation initiatives are underway or proposed:

• The forest department has helped establish a co-management council with local stakeholders under the CREL (Coastal Resource Ecosystem Learning) project.

• To stabilize soil and reduce erosion, dead or uprooted trees are being left in place as natural barriers.

• There are plans to plant salinity-tolerant tree species like Jhau to reinforce the coastal edge and prevent further loss.

• Local environmental activists are pushing for sustainable coastal protection measures and stronger monitoring of the forest reserve.

The Global Importance of Tengragiri

Tengragiri is not just a national treasure but a global ecological relevance:

• Coastal Resilience: As a mangrove forest, Tengragiri acts as a natural buffer against storm surges and sea-level rise—a service increasingly critical in a warming world.

• Biodiversity Hotspot: Its unique mix of mangrove and tidal ecosystems supports diverse wildlife, from forest mammals to estuarine fishes, contributing to global biodiversity conservation.

• Carbon Sequestration: Mangroves are among the most efficient ecosystems for capturing and storing carbon, helping mitigate global climate change.

• Ecotourism Model: If properly maintained, Tengragiri could become a model for sustainable coastal tourism — blending wildlife conservation with visitor experience in a low-impact manner.

Challenges Ahead and the Way Forward

To protect Tengragiri’s green sea of diversity, focused action is urgently needed:

1. Infrastructure Restoration: Repairing visitor paths, bridges, and facilities is critical to ensure safe access and encourage eco-tourism.

2. Strengthened Protection: More forest guards, better surveillance, and community co-management can help curb illegal logging.

3. Habitat Restoration: Replanting mangrove species and using natural erosion control methods will help sustain the coastline.

4. Food Supply for Wildlife: Regular assessment and provisioning of supplemental food where necessary to avoid wildlife starvation.

5. Climate Adaptation: Implement nature-based solutions to combat sea-level rise, such as mangrove restoration, sediment management, and resilient coastal planning.

6. Sustainable Tourism: Develop responsible eco-tourism plans that create local income while safeguarding the forest.

7. Research & Monitoring: Conduct scientific studies on soil salinity, biodiversity trends, and erosion dynamics to guide adaptive management.

A Coastal Treasure at Risk

Tengragiri Wildlife Sanctuary embodies the beauty and complexity of Bangladesh’s coastal ecosystems. It is a “green sea” where mangroves meet the Bay of Bengal, where birds sing, crabs scuttle, and crocodiles quietly inhabit tidal creeks.

But this treasure is fragile. Erosion, neglect, poaching, and the pressures of climate change threaten its integrity. Without urgent conservation efforts and community-backed protection, the natural diversity of Tengragiri could slip away, along with the ecosystem services it provides to coastal communities.

Preserving Tengragiri is not just an environmental responsibility, it is a climate imperative. As a natural bulwark against rising tides, as a refuge for wildlife, and as a source of natural beauty, this coastal forest deserves renewed attention, stronger safeguards, and sustainable stewardship.