Emotive image of young climate refugee wins 2024 Mangrove Photography Award

Mangrove forests are said to be one of Earth’s climate change ‘canaries’. In other words, it’s a fragile yet rich ecosystem that is on the front line of impact from global warming and extreme weather phenomena. Supratim Bhattacharjee from India won the 2024 Mangrove Photography Award with his powerful photo of a young girl in the aftermath of a devastating storm.

The photos are a compelling reminder of the importance of mangroves for the diversity of life across our coastlines as photographers captured unique relationships and moments from mangrove ecosystems both above and below the water line. They’re also a stark reminder of our need to protect these unique and precious ecosystems.

Mangrove Photographer of the Year – overall winner

Supratim Bhattacharjee, India – “Sinking Sundarbans“

Supratim Bhattacharjee witnesses a girl standing before her tea shop, which is completely ruined by sea water in Frazerganj, Sundarbans.

“After Cyclone Aila struck the Sundarbans in 2009, it became clear that frequent cyclonic events will turn the residents of the Sundarbans into climate refugees. Between May 2019 and May 2021, the Sundarbans faced four cyclones – Fani, Bulbul, Amphan, and Yaas – each devastating enough to justify the fear of mass displacement.”

Nestled in the Bay of Bengal, the Sundarbans is the largest mangrove forest in the world – and one of the most vulnerable. Once lauded as nature’s custodians, these mangroves now endure relentless threats driven by human development and the climate crisis. Rampant deforestation has compromised its role in climate regulation, exacerbating soil erosion and leaving vast stretches vulnerable to encroaching waters, particularly during cyclonic disturbances.

Mangroves & People

Johannes Panji Christo, Indonesia – “Mud Bath Ritual“

Johannes Panji Christo watches as a local Balinese man is covered in mud during a bathing tradition, locally known as Mebuug Buugan.

“Men, women and children, wearing sarongs and traditional headgear, collect mud from a mangrove forest in Kedonganan village, just outside the town of Denpasar, and cover themselves as part of a purification ritual. Mebuug Buugan was recently revived after a 60-year hiatus. Hosted the day after the annual “Day of Silence Festival”, in which people stay home and self-reflect, the ritual sees people pray for gratitude and earth’s fertility.

Mangroves & Landscape

Ammar Alsayed Ahmed, United Arab Emirates – “Nature’s Ribbon”

In nature’s embrace, a sinuous water channel meanders gracefully, flanked by a verdant gallery of mangrove trees lining its edges, in Al Dhafra Region, Abu Dhabi.

“This tranquil scene invites contemplation as the gentle flow of water navigates its course through the heart of the mangrove forest.

“The intertwining roots of the trees form intricate patterns, creating a natural tapestry that harmonises with the fluidity of the water. In this tranquil oasis, the photograph captures the timeless beauty and serenity of a landscape shaped by the delicate dance of water and mangroves.”

Mangroves & Wildlife

Mark Ian Cook, USA – “Mud-Ring Feeding“

Restoration scientist and photographer Mark Cook witnesses a bottlenose dolphin grabbing a mullet from the air during ‘mud-ring feeding’.

“Mud-ring feeding is a rare and unique fishing behaviour employed by bottlenose dolphins living solely in the shallows of the mangrove-lined bays of Florida Bay and just a few other locations in the Caribbean.

“On finding a school of mullet, a single dolphin from the pod encircles the fish kicking up the sediments with its tail, which effectively corrals the fish into an ever tightening spiral-shaped silty plume. The fish don’t like to be trapped or swim through the sediments, so they typically try to jump out of the water and over the “net” to freedom.

“Unfortunately for the fish, the dolphins have a remarkable capacity to know where the fish are going to jump and will snatch them from the air as they try to make their escape. The ability to strategize and coordinate such a hunt, as well as the ability to share equally, is a testament to the incredible intelligence of these animals.”

Mangroves & Threats

Dipayan Bose, India – “Mangrove Walls Broken“

Dipayan Bose frames a villager standing inside his half-submerged home during a flood. Due to repeated tropical cyclones and sea level rise in the Bay of Bengal, river embankments have become broken by high tides in coastal villages across the Sundarbans, West Bengal. As a result, homes and farms have flooded, fisheries have become destroyed by seawater, and people have been forced to migrate, victims of climate change.

“This villager has lost all his household belongings in the flood. The cutting down of trees for commercial and domestic use has made the area prone to natural disasters. Storms, heavy rainfall, and floods wreak havoc here. Approximately 3.14mm rise in sea levels every year has taken several islands under the sea. Increased soil erosion and loss of soil quality resulting in reduced crop yield have made situations worse.”

Mangroves & Underwater

Olivier Clement, Bahamas – “Guardians of the Mangroves“

Olivier Clement offers a glimpse into the intricate world of mangrove roots in the Bahamas. Judge Christian Zielger enjoyed the use of the mangrove roots as a captivating ‘frame’. “It evokes a sense of calm and peace”, he says.

“A turtle gracefully navigates the mangroves’ labyrinthine roots at high tide, seeking refuge for the night. At high tide, the water rises, engulfing the roots and transforming this space into a haven for marine life seeking shelter and safety.

“The turtle’s journey is a poignant reminder of the vital role these ecosystems play in sustaining marine biodiversity. As the day fades into dusk, the turtle’s search for a safe resting place reflects the delicate balance of life within the mangroves, highlighting the urgent need for conservation to ensure the survival of these invaluable habitats for generations to come.”

Mangroves & Conservation Stories

Giacomo d’Orlando, Indonesia – “Symbiosis“

Giacomo d’Orlando portrays life in one of the most vulnerable places to climate change.

“In Demak Regency, a combination of human induced activities and the increasing pressure brought by climate change are threatening coastal communities. The coastline has been severely eroded, and mangroves that once protected the coast have been cut down and replaced by aquaculture ponds. As a result, the sea is literally swallowing people’s homes.

Despite the difficult living conditions, most of Demak’s residents don’t want to move because their income potential is tied to their location near the sea. Over time, though, they have realised that the only solution is to restore the ecosystem by replanting the mangroves that had been cut down.

“A government policy based on mangrove transplantation, together with a reduction in groundwater extraction, could be the only way to ensure a future for the local coastal communities.”

Young Mangrove Photographer of the Year

Nicholas Alexander Hess, Australia – “Mangrove at Night“

An in-camera multiple exposure image of elements of the mangrove captured in the dark. “Equipped only with my macro lens, I wanted to capture more than just this young saltwater crocodile when I encountered it at low tide in the mangroves.

“I used the multiple exposure mode in my camera to superimpose layers onto my image of the croc’s eye to capture more of the scene without sacrificing detail of the eye.

“Captured at night, the image gives off a slightly unsettling feeling, such as what one may experience in a mangrove, unknowing of what predators may be lurking nearby, hidden by the dense network of the mangrove.”

The Mangrove Photography Awards is brought to you by Mangrove Action Project (MAP), a US-based non-profit whose mission is to empower communities worldwide to conserve, manage, and restore mangrove forests. Through science, training, and environmental education, they provide nature-based solutions for people and our planet.

You can see all the winning images on the website.

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