Sonadia Dwip lease suspended, saved from destruction

The suspension of the lease granted to the Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority (BEZA) for Sonadia Dwip (Island) has been welcomed by the island's residents and environmentalists. They believe that this decision will save the island's mangrove forests, the only one of its kind in the southeastern coastal region, and the safe breeding grounds of marine turtles, preserving its green canopy, biodiversity, and ecosystem from destruction.

In 2017, the government had allocated nearly 9,467 acres of the island's land to BEZA for an eco-tourism park project at a nominal price of only 1,001 taka. However, this lease was suspended on November 26, 2024.

Sonadia Island is located in the Kutubjom Union of Maheshkhali Upazila, Cox’s Bazar. Separated from the mainland of Maheshkhali, the island is home to about 3,000 people from several hundred families. Most of the residents earn their livelihood through fishing and shrimp processing.

The island is rich in plant species, with about thirty varieties including keora, keya, white and black bainen, and harigoja, along with 19 species of shrimp, 14 species of snails, oysters, crabs, and around 80 species of fish. Additionally, various commercially important species like coral, bolla, bata, tailor, datina, and kaun are found here.

A 2019 survey by the Center for Environmental and Geographical Information Services (CEGIS) highlighted that Sonadia Island is home to three globally endangered bird species, including the spoon-billed sandpiper.

Environmentalists Applaud the Decision

Moazzem Hossain, chairman of Save the Nature, an environmental activist group, stated that Sonadia Island and the adjacent Hans Char play a crucial role in the reproductive areas for marine biodiversity. Three species of marine turtles, including the green turtle, lay over 20,000 eggs annually on the island, helping regulate harmful creatures like jellyfish and fish egg predators in the Bay of Bengal, which sustains fish production. The waters around the island are also home to species like the Irrawaddy and Indo-Pacific dolphins.

Destruction Post-Lease Award

Following the lease agreement, organized groups began to destroy nearly 70% of the coastal greenbelt, including trees like jhau, keora, white and black bainen, and harigoja. After the land classification was changed, excavation machinery was used to create shrimp farms across almost 3,000 acres. Presently, preparations are underway for shrimp farming on an additional 2,000 acres.

Since the lease in 2017, local services have collapsed. Hundreds of children have been deprived of education due to the lack of schools and teachers on the island. Many residents, like Shukku Bibi, who lost her daughter due to lack of medical care, express their frustration. Local health knowledge is limited, and people rely on informal treatments from people like Saju Begum, who offers basic remedies.

Failure of Health and Education Infrastructure

The Maheshkhali Upazila administration had made several attempts to establish a community clinic on Sonadia, but the BEZA acquisition blocked any progress. Similarly, the island’s only primary school struggles with inadequate teachers due to the long and difficult journey teachers must take, and many children are missing out on education.

Violation of Environmental Laws

The government had declared the island an "environmentally sensitive area" under the Environment Conservation Act of 1995. Any activity that negatively impacts the environment is prohibited here. Environmentalists, including Moazzem Hossain, argue that the lease agreement violated this law, as no environmental impact assessment was conducted before the land was allocated to BEZA.

Moazzem Hossain emphasized that the government’s plan to develop eco-tourism on the island was a misguided attempt, as it failed to prioritize nature conservation. He expressed concerns that, like St. Martin's Island, Sonadia's biodiversity could soon be destroyed if such projects continue.

Calls for Local Management

Moazzem Hossain called for a shift in management of the island. He urged the government to hand over Sonadia Island to its local inhabitants for sustainable development and preservation. He suggested that all illegal structures, including shrimp farms, should be removed, and the island’s coastal greenbelt should be restored. He also called for the creation of a comprehensive land management policy for the Maheshkhali region.

According to Hossain, development should not be carried out by BEZA or other external institutions, but rather by the residents of the mainland who have a deeper connection to the island and its ecosystem.