By Iffat Ara Sharmeen
5 October, 2026
The Koyra River: A Nurturer and Destroyer
Life by the Koyra River in Khulna is a constant trial. People living there
face not just poverty, but also the full force of nature. Floods, cyclones, and
salinity constantly inflict hardship and perpetuate poverty on communities
relying on the river for sustenance. People here struggle to decide whether to
stay or leave, both of which are perilous. Sharmin Sultana Munni was a victim
of such a dilemma, stemming from climate uncertainties and all the social
injustices that came along with it.
Before she could begin to understand life, Munni's dreams had to take a
backseat for survival at the tender age of 14. She became a child bride; her fate sealed by tradition and
circumstance. Poverty, unbearable domestic abuse, and the early pains of
motherhood eventually led her to divorce. Being a very young, single mother
with a little girl, Munni had to grow up fast herself to sustain both lives. However,
a new chapter began when Munni became a mangrove caretaker at Friendship.
During the day, Munni nurtures the precious mangroves that protect her community from climate disasters. At night, she studies to qualify for the HSC exams. © Friendship
When Mangroves Save Lives
A dejected Munni returned to her lonely grandmother's home, seeking
refuge and a fresh start. It was the Koyra River itself that brought her luck.
The Mountains to Mangroves (M2M) programme team were studying the river with
Friendship at the time. The programme activities aligned with Munni's hope to
earn an income through decent work. Her strength and deep sense of doing
something landed her in the role of mangrove community caretaker in the
programme.
This was not just a job; it was a lifeline. The income she earned slowly started to bring dignity, independence, and stability to her life, which she had never had before, having to rely on others. With her grandmother's encouragement, she passed her Secondary School Certificate (SSC) exams and went on to enrol in the 12th grade.
Much like Munni, these mangroves are young yet formidable, growing and
becoming stronger to face the harsh impacts of climate change. She is a living
testament to the power of courage, love, and the profound change that can occur
when a life is empowered with hope, whether it's the life of a woman or a
generation of trees.
In any other part of the world, Munni would have been an empowered youth by now at the age of 20. Here in this climate-vulnerable part of the world, she stands as a single mother and student fighting for survival by the Koyra River.© Friendship
Mangrove ecosystem restoration and generating livelihoods is a key
initiative led by Friendship in the southern coastal areas. The goal is to
strengthen natural coastal plantations, biodiversity, and empower community
stewardship. Friendship currently manages the largest privately owned mangrove
plantation in the country. Apart from land preparation, tree plantation, and
assisted natural regeneration, Friendship also protects plantations with
fencing and consistent repairs. Friendship consistently organises follow-up
meetings with communities and their respective caretakers to ensure regular
monitoring, plantation maintenance, and local ownership.
This is done in collaboration with the Bangladesh
Forest Department, Ministry of Environment,
Forest and Climate Change, Union Parishads and local administration, who
support site selection, technical guidance, sustainable plantation resource
management, and long-term community participation through livelihoods.
Friendship encourages diverse climate-resilient livelihood opportunities
generated from the mangrove plantations by blending scientific thinking with
established community practices.