Nature and Life Episode 126 (Sonadia Island)

The small island Sonadia is sited by the Moheshkhali Island, at the North-West of Cox's Bazar district.
Geographical structure of this about 9 sq. km. island is like half-moon.
Though most of this island is vacant but one of its parts contains human habitat.
Here the inhabiting indigenous people are mainly fishermen.
Sited on the lap of the Sea this island is rich with diverse species of birds, Mangrove plants and Marin fisheries.
Various species of plants and animals have enriched the biodiversity of this island.
Blue Sea water flows within the island through a Canal.
A number of channels of this Canal are spread within the island.
A small mangrove forest has emerged in this island because of salty sea water.
The ecosystem of Sonadia Island is always dynamic as a result of the overflowing sea tides.
A number of plants are available here, including: Sonneratia Apetala, Acanthus Ilicifolius, Avicennia Officinalis etc.
Various birds find their feeding and shelter in these trees.
Thick leafed and color flowered Ipomoea and other species of climbers are spread throughout the dune of the Island.
Various Algae are found here in shallow water.
Presence of mangrove forest, on both sides of the clear water canal, has created an atypical magnificence in this island.
Western area of Sonadia Island is covered with silver dune.
High Sand hills can also be seen in some places.
Lots of crabs wander in this very silver dune.
They look like red carpet bed from far.
But if slightest presence of danger is sensed, they promptly hide inside holes.
Sometimes some horse-hoof shaped crabs can also be seen in here.
These round bodied crabs have thin and long tail.
For they are surviving since prehistoric time, they are known as living fossil.
Sea snakes wander in some areas of the island.
These various species of snakes are unique among available reptiles of Sonadia Island.
They are mostly seen in tidal muddy places and within mangrove plants.
The Sea, surround the island, is the wandering ground and the dune of the island is the breeding ground of sea Turtles.
Among available turtles, Olive Ridley Turtles are the most common.
Eastern side of Sonadia is full of Snails and Oysters.
They sometimes slowly move in crystal clear water and sometimes they remain motionless.
Various species of birds are common among the biodiversity of Sonadia Island.
For the diversity of birds Sonadia Island has been declared as Important Bird Area (IBA).
Beside resident birds, during winter, thousands of migratory birds come here from Siberia and Himalayan for food and shelter.
As a result the island remains full of birds throughout the winter.
Flocks of Innumerable birds of various species come to the muddy area of the shore and remain busy with feeding.
Among these birds Plovers are the most common.
These small birds feed on small insects and grass-tips walking through soft muds.
Sometimes they peck mud with bill to feed on algae.
They bath in shallow water by wringing wings with bill.
Plovers wander in flocks.
The worldwide critically endangered Soon-billed Sandpiper can be seen in this island.
Other available birds of Sonadia Island include: Tern, Godwit, Sandpiper, Wagtail, Gull, Curlew, Lapwing, Snipe etc.
Various species of Ducks swim in the blue water of Sonadia.
Gulls are also there alongside Ducks.
Black-headed Gull and Brown-headed Gull are the most common among them.
Their flight and resting in blue sea water is a familiar view of Sonadia.
Terns are often seen to gather near fishing nets looking for fishes.
Mainly in winter, Sonadia Island becomes center of harvesting marine fish and natural aquatic resources.
Throughout this time, fishermen use net to collect marine fishes, squid, octopus etc. from the shore of Sonadia.
These are contributing in fulfilling the country's food demand and at the same time in earning foreign currencies.
Sonadia Island is the natural talisman of Bangladesh as well as reservoir of biodiversity.
But people's irresponsible tourism and unrestricted access of local people into sensitive areas are harming wildlife and the natural beauty of the island.
Sea turtle's breeding is being impeded.
Moreover, adverse impacts of climate change are severely affecting the island.
To alleviate these issues Government, local and foreign agencies and mass people together will have to fight the adverse impacts of climate change to protect the island.
Only then will survive naturally emerged this unique island.

Planner, Director and Anchor: Muqeed Majumdar Babu.
Research & Script: Mushfiq Ahmed, Shamim Ahmed.
Subtitle: A M M Khairul Anam (Mithu).
Voiceover: Khairul Ahasun Shohag.
Video Editor: Arif Baharder.
Coordinator: Kibria Saroar Roman.
Cameraman: Billal Howlader.
Panel Producer: Sohel Mazumder.