By Ramiz Uddin, PhD; Head of Experimentation, UNDP Accelerator Lab Bangladesh

Osama Bin Tahir, Applied Statistics and Data Science, University of Dhaka

Mejanur Rahman, Applied Statistics and Data Science, University of Dhaka

Saint Martin’s Island, Bangladesh’s only coral island, sits at the nation’s southernmost tip – a small (8 km²) but biodiverse community confronting the frontlines of climate change. Buffeted by rising seas, cyclonic storm surges, and erosion, the island has historically relied on natural green barriers for protection. Chief among these are the dense thickets of Keya (screwpine) that once ringed the island’s beaches, anchoring sand dunes and deflecting waves. Over the past decade, however, this natural defense has been decimated by unplanned development, shrinking from roughly 20 km of the Keya forest to only 8 km by 2023. Hotels and resorts have cleared vast swathes of Keya for construction, leaving the coast exposed; locals report that tidal surges now penetrate farther inland, damaging trees and homes more than ever before. Environmental experts warn that the island’s ecology faces severe damage if the remaining Keya forests are lost, as these hardy shrubs serve as critical buffers during cyclones and high tides.

In response to these threats, UNDP Accelerator Lab and its partners have championed an integrated, community-centered approach to bolster coastal resilience on Saint Martin’s. A cornerstone of this effort has been coastal tree plantation – the establishment of protective greenbelts of Keya and other species along vulnerable shorelines. This blog outlines how, over 2023–2025, UNDP’s Accelerator Lab, together with the Government of Bangladesh and local stakeholders, implemented extensive tree planting initiatives on the island, and highlights the community feedback, challenges, and lessons that emerged. It draws on focus group discussions with residents and local leaders, as well as on-the-ground project data and broader best practices in coastal ecosystem management.

A Community Embraces Coastal Tree Planting

Figure 1: Community members, youth, and local stakeholders participate in coastal tree plantation activities on Saint Martin’s Island, strengthening natural defenses and promoting community-led climate resilience.

From fishermen and boatmen to shopkeepers and elders, community members universally praised the new tree plantations during focus group discussions in 2024–2025. To islanders, the value of planting Keya and other coastal trees was not abstract – it was tangible and even existential. Residents repeatedly referred to the trees as “protective infrastructure” vital to the island’s survival. “These trees were planted to protect the island. They are saving us, and planting more would be even better,” said one small business owner, capturing a common sentiment. Another community elder explained that coastal trees shield important local sites – “The Keya trees are very good for the island. They help our graveyard area and the coast.” Indeed, the islanders view tree planting not just as an environmental activity but as an investment in the long-term safety of homes, roads, and cultural landmarks along the shore.

This strong local buy-in reflects a keen awareness of the island’s fragility and the protective value of nature. Scientific studies affirm what Saint Martin’s residents intuitively know: healthy coastal vegetation can significantly dissipate wave energy and reduce storm surge heights before they reach communities. Pandanus (Keya) shrubs, in particular, have evolved to thrive in harsh maritime conditions – their stilt-like roots lock into sandy soil, and thick bushy growth breaks the force of onrushing water. It is therefore heartening that local people see these plantations as “essential to the island’s survival,” not merely as greenery. Community members across all nine villages expressed a strong desire for more trees, especially along exposed beaches where wave erosion is eating away at land. As one bike driver put it, “Planting more [trees] would be even better.” Such community enthusiasm is a critical asset – it signals grassroots legitimacy for nature-based solutions and creates a social foundation on which future climate resilience efforts can build.

Scaling Up Greenbelts: From Pilot to Island-Wide Coverage

What began in mid-2023 as a pilot Tree Plantation Inauguration Programme has since expanded into a broader island-wide greening effort. The inaugural campaign – organized by UNDP Accelerator Lab in partnership with the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Department of Environment (DoE), Department of Forest (DoF), Tour Operators Association of Bangladesh (TOAB), Tour Operator Owners Association of Cox's Bazar (TOAC), Bangladesh Tourism Board, and local authorities – was a one-day high-visibility event designed to galvanize public support. On July 5, 2023 (tentative), over 100 participants, including students, youth leaders, fishermen, tourist guides, and local officials, joined a rally from Gabibar Shop to Winter Spring Beach Resort, converging to plant the first 100 Keya saplings near the shoreline. This symbolic planting was accompanied by an awareness discussion at the cyclone shelter, underscoring the importance of coastal forests for the island’s future. The event’s chief guest from the Ministry of Environment and the Teknaf Upazila Administration lauded the youth-led initiative, while community leaders pledged their cooperation in nurturing the seedlings. (This kick-off was part of “Plan A” for the programme, which also envisioned a human chain at Jetty Ghat for tourist awareness, pending logistical feasibility.)

Following the inauguration, the project rapidly scaled up planting across multiple sites. By early 2024, roughly 37,000 Keora (Keya) seedlings had been planted along the island’s most erosion-prone coasts, including the Marine Park on the west, the north and south sides of Jetty Ghat, beach strips near resorts (Prasad Paradise, Fantasy, Blue Marine), and both the eastern and western shores of Kona Para. An additional 2,150 mangrove saplings (of species like Keora and Golpata) were planted along an inner tidal creek from Fakirapul to Kona Para, aimed at restoring a fringe of mangroves that historically existed decades ago. “We are trying to cover from the jetty to Coral View, all vulnerable spots,” noted a Department of Forest official involved. UNDP Accelerator Lab and the Saint Martin’s Union Parishad jointly identified 14 priority locations, with a long-term vision of planting up to 200,000 seedlings (including Keya, Nishinda, Sagarlata vines, and coconut palms) by the end of 2023. While not all of these were achieved within the year, the groundwork has been laid – literally – for an island-wide green shield. Each planting site was selected in consultation with locals, ensuring that species chosen (e.g., Keya and salt-tolerant shrubs) were well-adapted and welcomed by the community.

Multi-stakeholder partnerships have been key to this scale-up. The project actively involved agencies like the Department of Forests, the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism, Cox’s Bazar District Administration, and NGOs, alongside UNDP Accelerator Lab. 

Early Results: High Survival but Maintenance Gaps

One year after implementation, community feedback suggests that the coastal tree plantation on Saint Martin’s Island has achieved encouraging early results, alongside emerging challenges. Focus group participants estimated that around 80 per cent of the saplings planted in 2024 remain alive, reflecting appropriate species selection, sound site choice, and favorable growing conditions. In several areas, young Keya plants have already reached waist height, forming new green belts along previously bare beaches. Local residents expressed pride in these visible changes, noting that the trees are already helping to reduce the impacts of waves, storms, and erosion.

At the same time, concerns were raised about sapling losses following the project’s initial phase. Community members pointed to insufficient post-plantation care as the main risk, particularly damage from free-roaming goats and a lack of watering during dry periods. “Before, UNDP Accelerator Lab people were there; now there is no one to care,” observed a community elder, underscoring the vulnerability of young plantations without continued support. Participants emphasized the need for simple protective measures such as bamboo or net fencing, as well as clearer responsibility for maintenance.

These challenges mirror lessons from coastal afforestation efforts elsewhere in Bangladesh, where sustained care during the first one to two years is critical for survival. Experiences from the Integrating Community-Based Adaptation into Afforestation (ICBA-AR) programme highlight the importance of linking plantation maintenance with community co-management and incentives. The early experience on Saint Martin’s reinforces a central lesson: moving beyond one-off planting toward locally owned, sustained stewardship is essential to secure long-term resilience gains.

Ownership and Responsibility: Who Cares for the Trees?

Focus group discussions revealed divided views on responsibility for maintaining the planted trees. Some community members felt that care should rest with households, particularly where trees are planted near homes or businesses. “If a tree is planted in front of my house, it is my responsibility to water it, not UNDP Accelerator Lab’s,” said one local business owner, reflecting a strong sense of ownership. Many residents expressed willingness to contribute labor if roles were clearly defined and basic support provided.

Others, however, believed that responsibility should remain with project implementers or government agencies, noting that communities were not formally assigned maintenance roles nor trained for post-plantation care. “The trees die because no one gives water. It should be UNDP’s people who take care of them,” one participant remarked, highlighting concerns about unrealistic expectations without support.

This lack of clarity has resulted in neglect, particularly in public areas where no clear caretaker exists. Addressing this gap through explicit role-setting, community agreements, and incentive mechanisms will be critical to ensuring the long-term survival of the coastal plantations and avoiding post-project attrition.

Community-Driven Solutions and Recommendations

Despite the challenges identified, community members on Saint Martin’s Island proposed practical, locally grounded solutions to strengthen the survival and impact of coastal plantations.

1. Protect young saplings through fencing: Nearly all focus groups stressed the need to shield plantations from goats, livestock, and human disturbance. Simple, low-cost measures such as bamboo or net fencing were widely recommended. “If we fence the area, the goats cannot reach the saplings—then they will survive,” noted a farmer from Paschim Para, describing fencing as a quick and effective intervention.

2. Clarify maintenance roles and provide incentives: Participants recommended formally assigning households or community groups responsibility for nearby plantations, supported by modest incentives. These could include recognition, small stipends, or future access to non-timber benefits. As one youth leader explained, “If we are given some benefit or a little money, we will definitely care for the trees.” Such approaches align with successful community forestry practices across Bangladesh.

3. Establish local ‘Green Guards’: Many participants suggested appointing trained local caretakers to water saplings, monitor survival, and report damage. Similar models in coastal areas like Satkhira have improved plantation outcomes while generating local employment. Youth from Saint Martin’s could be engaged in this role, with oversight from the Department of Environment and the Union Parishad.

4. Refine plantation design and targeting: Community members emphasized continuing the use of Keya for exposed beaches, while introducing coconut and other useful species on higher ground. They also identified priority erosion zones—such as Chera Dwip and Golachipa—for future planting.

Together, these recommendations offer a clear pathway for shifting from externally driven planting to community-owned stewardship. As residents themselves summarized: protect the trees, assign responsibility, provide incentives, and involve the community.

Partnership and Policy Implications

The Saint Martin’s coastal tree plantation initiative offers important lessons for policy-makers and climate adaptation practitioners.

Strengthen inter-agency collaboration. The initiative benefited from coordination among the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, the Department of Environment, tourism authorities, and local government bodies. UNDP Accelerator Lab Bangladesh played a facilitative role by piloting solutions, convening stakeholders, and capturing community feedback. Institutionalizing this collaboration—such as through a regular Island Conservation Committee—would help coordinate tree maintenance, waste management, and sustainable tourism in a more integrated manner.

Empower communities through incentives and co-management. Community feedback shows a strong willingness to protect plantations when roles and benefits are clear. Formal stewardship agreements with community groups, paired with modest budgets or livelihood opportunities, could strengthen ownership. Engaging youth in caretaking, nursery development, or eco-tourism activities can also generate green jobs while supporting conservation goals.

Align policy and enforcement. Saint Martin’s Ecologically Critical Area guidelines already prohibit Keya forest destruction and unplanned construction, but stronger enforcement is needed. National and island-level plans should explicitly incorporate community-led afforestation and allocate funding for multi-year maintenance. The experience reinforces a key policy lesson: nature-based solutions require sustained investment beyond planting.

Commit to a long-term vision. With continued care, the plantations can evolve into a self-sustaining coastal bioshield—enhancing storm protection, biodiversity, and eco-tourism potential. Treating the current effort as the foundation of a long-term partnership between communities, government, and development partners will be essential. Saint Martin’s has the potential to become a national model for community-driven, nature-based climate adaptation.

From Planting to Protection: Sustaining Community-Led Coastal Resilience

The coastal tree plantation on Saint Martin’s Island is a story of collective action and cautious optimism. In a landscape shaped by cyclones and development pressure, communities have embraced tree planting as a practical way to protect their future. Where barren sand once dominated, rows of young Keya saplings now stand—evidence that climate resilience efforts resonate when they build on local knowledge and priorities. The initiative has delivered early gains, including tens of thousands of new trees, growing public awareness, and strong partnerships, while also highlighting a critical lesson: planting alone is not enough without sustained care and clear community ownership.

For UNDP Accelerator Lab and its partners, these insights are shaping the next phase. Protecting the new greenbelts will require adaptive approaches—engaging youth as green monitors, supporting community caretakers, and exploring simple digital tools for monitoring and reporting. The policy message is clear: resilience investments must be long-term and locally driven to succeed. As one resident put it, “We don’t want this to be a one-time project. We want it to continue for our children.”

Saint Martin’s reflects the broader climate challenge—highly vulnerable, yet full of potential. By combining nature-based solutions with community leadership, the initiative demonstrates UNDP Accelerator Lab’s “policy to practice” approach in action. As these trees take root, they carry with them a growing belief that, with the right support, even the most at-risk communities can build resilience—one seedling at a time.