A biodiversity fair in Bangladesh’s coastal Satkhira district brought together communities, activists and students to promote Sundarbans conservation, local biodiversity protection and climate awareness through cultural events, exhibitions and discussions.
A unique biodiversity fair was held in Shyamnagar in Satkhira district of southwestern Bangladesh on Thursday to mark the International Day for Biological Diversity 2026, bringing together environmental activists, teachers, students, farmers, fishers and young climate campaigners to promote the protection of coastal ecosystems and local biodiversity.
The event began at 9:00 am at the Harinagar Satsang Temple premises under the theme “Acting locally for global impact”.
The programme was organised by the Shyamnagar Upazila Volunteer Association and Green Coalition, two community-based organisations from the coastal region, with support from the non-governmental development organisation BARCIK.
The day’s activities started with a colourful biodiversity procession attended by local residents and activists. Participants later gathered on the banks of the Chunkuri River to offer symbolic prayers for the protection of the Sundarbans, its wildlife, natural resources and the lives dependent on the mangrove forest.
After the prayer ceremony, discussions, exhibitions and cultural performances were held at the temple grounds. Organisers also arranged a special exhibition featuring local biodiversity, indigenous seeds, agroecology, medicinal plants, environmentally friendly farming initiatives and different elements of coastal life and livelihoods.
The discussion session was chaired by Nobotaron Mondol, former assistant teacher of Kolbari Nekjania Secondary School.
One of the major attractions of the event was a cultural performance by artists from the local fishing community and the indigenous Munda community. Folk songs, dances and traditional performances highlighting coastal life, biodiversity and the relationship between people and nature drew praise from the audience.
Among those attending the discussion were Kalyan Banerjee, adviser to the Satkhira District Green Coalition, joint general secretary M Belal Hossain, Krishnananda Mukharjee, president of the Shyamnagar Municipality Green Coalition, Gazi Abdur Rouf and Habibullah Al Mamun, advisers to the Shyamnagar Upazila Volunteer Association, association president Saifuddin Siddique, Dr Jogesh Mondol, president of the Munshiganj Green Coalition, Jillu Rahman, president of the Ishwaripur Union Green Coalition, Md Ashraf Hossain, president of the Padmapukur Union Green Coalition, farmers Anita Mondol and Sarama Rani and Sannyasi Das.
Environmental activists, elected representatives, teachers, journalists, farmers, fishers, honey collectors and young climate activists also joined the event. Participants exchanged views on the impacts of climate change, conservation of the Sundarbans, protection of local biodiversity and food sovereignty.
Students from Harinagar Bonshree Shiksha Niketan Secondary School also participated in a biodiversity quiz competition where they answered questions related to wildlife, environmental conservation and the Sundarbans.
During the programme, three individuals received commemorative awards for their contributions to biodiversity conservation and environmental protection. Rabindranath Mondol of Atulia was recognised as a “Green Warrior”, Tejendranath Mridha of Padmapukur was honoured as a “Lover of Banyan Trees” and Tiger Gani of Ramjannagar also received recognition for environmental activism.
Organisers said the awards were introduced to encourage people working at the grassroots level to protect the environment and preserve biodiversity in vulnerable coastal communities.
The programme was conducted by Md Shahin Islam, regional coordinator of BARCIK’s coastal regional centre, alongside SM Osman Gani Sohag and Jannatul Naeem.
Organisers said the main objective of the initiative was to raise awareness about protecting biodiversity, nature and the environment through community participation and to strengthen local social initiatives aimed at conserving coastal ecosystems and livelihoods.
