For the 10th year in a row, The Mangrove Photography Awards, hosted by the Mangrove Action Project, are spreading awareness about mangroves’ importance to various species and to us humans as well.
“Every year, we’re inspired by the incredible submissions, which help raise awareness of the people and wildlife that rely on mangrove forests, the threats they face, and why urgent action is needed to protect them,” wrote the organizers on their site.
So today, we would like to present you with this year’s winners, runner-ups, and highly commended entries. Hopefully, these photos will inspire you to learn more about mangroves and their importance to our world and maybe even try to help preserve them.
Take a look at the winners of 2023. And here are the People’s Choice Awards, where people can vote for their favorite mangrove photo on Instagram.
#1 “Friends At The Edge” By Jillian Morris, Bahamas
Mangroves and Underwater category, Highly Commended.
Jillian Morris spies two juvenile lemon sharks in the Bahamas
“These juvenile lemon sharks were cruising in a deeper pocket at the edge of the mangrove forest. They can still seek refuge but are spending more time away from the nursery habitat as they get older and bigger.
“This species is also social, especially when they are young. They are often seen seeking refuge, hunting, or resting together.”
To learn more about the photography awards, Bored Panda reached out to Leo Thom, a creative director at Mangrove Action Project, and Supratim Bhattacharjee, the overall winner of this year’s competition.
First of all, Thom shared his fascination with the winning image by Supratim.
“This year’s winning image is so powerful. We see a girl’s life turn upside down after a cyclone, her teahouse drowning in the background. Her look of helplessness, reflecting the turmoil of life for many people on the coastlines of the Sundarbans in India. The whole village was entirely flooded by the sea and this girl and her family had to move away to build a new home. It’s a common problem in the area where extreme weather events have meant seawater breaches the protective embankments, their land becomes inundated with saltwater from the sea, making it impossible to grow crops, on which they rely for food.
Although devastating, there is a bit of good news for the girl. I did hear that the photographer returned to the same region this past week and found the girl and the family surviving well at the new home they built.”
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#2 “Framing The Sunset” By Vladimir Borzykin, India
Mangroves and Landscape category, Highly Commended.
Vladimir Borzykin frames picturesque mangrove trees during a colourful sunset on the Andaman islands.
“Behind the beauty of white sand beaches and coconut palm trees, the rugged coast of Neil island (Shaheed Dweep) in Andaman islands archipelago, studded with picturesque mangrove trees, is largely overlooked.
The sea around the island being very shallow, the tide recedes far away from the shore exposing an extremely sharp rocky reef. After a week of ‘dancing’ around this particular set of mangroves, trying different photo compositions and, luckily, having low tide and sunset timing coincide, I came up with this shot that captures the essence and atmosphere of the place and moment.”
#3 “Kakaban Mangrove” By Purwanto Nugroho, Indonesia
Mangroves and Underwater category, Highly Commended.
Purwanto Nugroho captures the charm and power of underwater mangrove habitats.
“Mangroves act as a natural filter that can remove most pollutants before they reach the ocean. Soil and mangrove biomass have a significant capacity to store carbon from the atmosphere, helping to reduce carbon dioxide concentrations in the air.
“The complex roots of mangroves help bind soil and sediment, reduce erosion, and protect against damage due to waves or currents. Thus, mangrove conservation efforts are crucial to maintaining environmental sustainability and human life.”
Supratim shared the backstory of his image:
“The award-winning photo was captured during the complete COVID-19 lockdown on a cyclonic day. I was staying at a hotel in Bakkhali, documenting the devastating impact of cyclonic weather on a full moon day, a project I’ve pursued for nearly two decades in the Sundarbans region.
The night before the photo was taken, I planned a visit to Lakkhipur village with my friend Goutam. Fraserganj, where the picture was taken, lacks embankments, making it particularly vulnerable. I arrived early in the morning and witnessed the overwhelming force of the high tides. The residents of Lakkhipur, located on Frazerganj, were frantically trying to save their belongings from the encroaching sea water.
Among them was 11-year-old Pallavi, whose house, including a tea shop, had been completely submerged the previous night. Her composed demeanor and resilient expression amid the chaos compelled me to capture her photograph, showcasing her strength in the face of such devastation.
Speaking with Pallavi, she shared how the relentless sea waves are slowly eroding their future year after year.”
#4 “Jungle Cat” By Erfan Samanfar, Iran
Mangroves and Wildlife category, Highly Commended.
A forest cat after hunting in the mangrove forest of Bandar Abbas, Iran
The jungle cat, also called the reed cat or swamp cat, is an endangered species in Iran. The solitary species are expert nocturnal predators with a taste for rodents, fish, and small birds.
“One autumn day, I had gone to the mangrove forest to photograph birds, when I suddenly saw this cat. Even the locals rarely see this cat, and I feel very lucky to be able to photograph this forest cat.”
#5 “Tapa Cara” By Sebastián Calle, Colombia
Mangroves and Wildlife category, Highly Commended.
Sebastián Calle has an unexpected encounter while birdwatching in the mangroves of Punta Soldado.
“The silky anteater (Cyclops dorsalis) is a recently described species, quite difficult to find due to its size and low populations, which are increasingly threatened by habitat deforestation.
“While searching for better angles in the mangrove mud to photograph some orioles, I came across this small anteater. I had little information about the species, its behavior, and its vulnerability, so I took the photos with a telephoto lens and encouraged the local community participating in a bird monitoring program to care for it, understand its importance, and protect its habitat.”
Supratim also shared what are some of the most pressing threats to mangrove forests that he has personally witnessed.
“Growing up, I frequently visited my maternal grandparents’ home in Canning, near the Sundarbans. I fondly remember the lush greenery and playing under the expansive, shady trees during scorching summer afternoons. However, nearly 28-30 years later, the landscape has dramatically changed. The indiscriminate cutting down of trees has transformed the area, and many islands in the Sundarbans, once teeming with Sundari trees and mangrove forests, have lost their verdant charm.
The large trees that once acted as buffers against soil erosion from tidal floods are now gone, making floods and cyclonic attacks increasingly common. Several islands have already submerged, and many more are at risk.
Climate change has dramatically altered our environment over the past few decades. In the Sundarbans, I have personally witnessed the drastic transformation of the landscape due to global warming and frequent cyclones. Rising sea levels, driven by global warming, have led to increasingly severe flooding from violent storm surges. Many islands have already submerged, and predictions suggest that a significant portion of the Sundarbans will be underwater in the coming years. If this trend continues, even Kolkata could face flooding.”
#6 “Sinking Sundarbans” By Supratim Bhattacharjee, India
Mangrove Photographer of the Year, Overall Winner.
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.”
“An image that raises a thousand questions, whilst connecting you to the girl’s heart. Her vulnerability exposes the full impact of climate change and sea level rise experienced by many coastal communities”, says judge Dhritiman.
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.
#7 “Morelet’s Reflection” By Shane Gross, Mexico
Mangroves and Underwater category, Highly Commended.
Shane Gross frames a Morelet’s crocodile, king of the mangroves.
“I was snorkeling in a beautiful mangrove lagoon when this Morelet’s crocodile decided he was warm enough and entered the water from his favorite sunbathing rock.”
Also known as the Mexican crocodile or Belize crocodile, Morelet’s are found exclusively in the Atlantic regions of Mexico, Brazil, and Guatemala.
There are thought to be 79,000 to 100,000 individuals living across marine coastal and wetland habitats.
“Adding to the crisis is the reckless deforestation of mangrove forests. Many island residents are unaware of the long-term consequences of this destruction. Deforestation is erasing natural habitats and diminishing the region’s green aura. The natural barriers that once protected the land from floods are being systematically destroyed.
Through my photography, I aim to raise awareness about climate change in the Sundarbans and its impact on the lives of children in the region. I am capturing the faces of climate change victims to send a powerful message: it is time to take action on fossil fuels, the primary driver of rising global temperatures. The consequences—droughts, wildfires, sea level rise, disease, and migration—are already here, and we must act now to mitigate further damage.”
#8 Nature And Space By Jeff Thamert, USA
Mangroves and Threats category, Runner Up.
Jeff Thamert records a rocket launch above Florida’s mangroves.
“This was shot near the SpaceX launch facility where launches are happening far too often, which has already had some negative effects on The Indian River Lagoon and sanctuary. We have seen the decline of water quality and sea grasses, which has affected sea life, plants, and animals.”
#9 “Guardians Of The Gulf” By Nick Conzone, USA
Mangroves and Underwater category, Runner Up.
Nick Conzone captures the moment a Diamondback terrapin emerges from its underground burrow in the Gulf Coast of Florida’s mangrove islands.
“The diamondback terrapin is a keystone species, crucial for defending mangroves from snails, crabs, clams, and small fish. By keeping these populations in check, these turtles prevent overgrazing that could damage the mangroves and disrupt the ecosystem.
“They are well-adapted to their habitat, navigating underwater root systems with agility. Their webbed feet and strong beaks enable them to hunt effectively, ensuring the health of the mangrove forests by maintaining balanced prey populations.
“In the black mangrove islands, terrapins make their homes in shallow burrows dug into the soft mud. These burrows provide protection and a vantage point for watching their surroundings. Without mangroves, terrapins would be forced to live closer to shore, facing greater risks from human interaction, pollution, and habitat destruction.”
“Climate Change in Indian Sundarbans:
Located in the embrace of the Bay of Bengal, the Sundarbans archipelago straddles the borders of India and Bangladesh, with India claiming a significant 40% of its vast expanse, encompassing roughly 10,000 square kilometers. Celebrated as the planet’s largest mangrove forest, the Sundarbans hosts a collection of 102 deltaic islands within the Indian territory, of which 52 are inhabited. Serving as a natural shield against the fury of storm surges and cyclones, this ecological marvel stands as an invaluable asset. However, relentless exploitation for economic gain has unleashed a cascade of detrimental consequences, including rampant deforestation, erosion of soil, and a compromised capacity for climate change mitigation.
In recent years, substantial portions of the Sundarbans have fallen prey to encroaching waters, rendering them increasingly susceptible to the wrath of cyclones, torrential rains, and storm surges. The period spanning from 2019 to 2024 witnessed a barrage of cyclones—Fani, Amphan, Bulbul, Yaas, and Remal—further destabilizing the Indian Sundarbans. Concurrently, the forces of urbanization and modernization have aggravated these challenges, exacerbating the significant loss of mangroves due to soil erosion. Over the past five decades, studies conducted between 1975 and 2020 have documented a steady decline in mangrove density, with an annual decrease estimated at 1.3%.”
#10 “Mangrove At Night” By Nicholas Alexander Hess, Australia
Young Mangrove Photographer of the Year, Winner.
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.”
#11 “Spectacular Mangrove Symphony” By Ammar Alsayed Ahmed, United Arab Emirates
Mangroves and Landscape category, Highly Commended.
A breathtaking coastal panorama in Abu Dhabi reveals a mesmerising play of colours.
“Abu Dhabi’s diverse ecosystem, teeming with marine life, is adorned by resilient mangrove trees. Renowned for their exceptional salinity resistance, these trees feature aerial roots that emerge as slender columns allowing for respiration.
“Beyond their ecological significance, mangrove swamps actively contribute to reducing air pollution and mitigating the effects of climate change by absorbing greenhouse gases.”
“The ingress of tides has exacerbated existing adversities, intensifying food and water scarcity, diminishing agricultural yields, and degrading arable land. The COVID-19 pandemic and ensuing lockdowns delivered severe blows to local livelihoods, triggering widespread unemployment particularly among migrant laborers, who suddenly found themselves bereft of income and support.
The devastating aftermath of cyclones like Amphan and Yaas has left many residents destitute and homeless, underscoring the critical importance of mangrove conservation in averting such catastrophes.
Alarming statistics reveal that 52 out of the 102 inhabited islands in the Indian Sundarbans are sinking at an alarming rate. Since 1967, the Sundarbans has contracted by 210 square kilometers, and since 1904, by a staggering 451 square kilometers, resulting in island inundation. The foremost concern centers on the widespread displacement stemming from land loss. Empirical evidence and forecasts underscore the acute vulnerability of the delta region, with segments of Mousuni and Ghoramara Islands already submerged. The Sundarbans teeters on the precipice of what could potentially become one of the largest human migrations in history, with Kolkata looming as the next probable destination,” Supratim explained the threats.
#12 “Mud-Ring Feeding” By Mark Ian Cook, USA
Mangroves and Wildlife, Winner.
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 behavior 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.”
#13 “Sawfish Sunrise” By Grace Pempek, USA
Mangroves and Underwater category, Highly Commended.
Grace Pempek observes a critically endangered juvenile smalltooth sawfish in the mangrove shallows at sunrise.
“If there is one thing I have learned in underwater photography, it is to always be ready, as you never know what the ocean will present to you—nor when. Luckily, that was the case for me when I encountered a juvenile smalltooth sawfish in the Florida Keys. I knew I had to make the most of my chance encounter with this bucket-list species—truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!
“I was fortunate it seemed relaxed in my presence without any other beachgoers in the water. However, as more and more people came to the beach to watch the sunrise and enjoy their morning coffee, I slowly backed off the subject, not wanting to draw too much attention to this very rare and endangered animal.”
The photographer also shared what message he hoped for the viewers to take away from his photo.
“Sundarbans is always my second hometown, as I have mentioned. I have covered almost each and every cyclone over there. During cyclones, the experience I got is unforgettable. I see people are moving everywhere for shelter, their home is being swept away by storm surges, their suffering to collect drinking water. I feel bad for the children of Sundarbans because they really do not deserve it in between the environmental turbulence. Their books, documents are being swept away each and every cyclone. So, there is no specific experience to be mentioned.
I was born in South 24 Parganas and raised here, which is the most vulnerable district to super cyclones. So, I never faced any difficulties while working in my region. I have been among super cyclones several times to capture disasters and this journey will be continuing until the situation is restored a bit.
Photography is a powerful tool that illustrates the reality and its impact on human and animal life. My long-term raw photographs capture the momentary disasters of various places, revealing the actual scenarios and the hardships the people endure. Policymakers can easily discern the helplessness of human life through these frames.”
#14 “Piangua, Vital” By Daniel Alvarez, Colombia
Mangroves and People category, Highly Commended.
Daniel Alvarez sheds light on the work of minorities in the peripheral regions of Colombia.
“In the peripheral regions of Colombia, the daily struggle for sustenance coexists with a rich cultural heritage and a deep-rooted connection to the land.
Aura Nelly – known as ‘La Ñata’ – and Gabriela, two piangua harvesters from La Plata in Bahía Málaga, Valle del Cauca, work meticulously in the mangroves, collecting mangrove cockle or ‘piangua’.
“These cockles are a source of livelihood as well as living testimony to the interdependence between human beings and nature. Every gesture, every verse sung while they work, reflects the profound connection with the land and sea that surrounds them as well as the determination to preserve their cultural roots in an ever-changing world.”
“I consider photography a medium that can achieve what several articles cannot. By choosing long-term projects, I often visit the same place twice a month to ensure I depict the struggles of human life facing water crises, environmental disasters, poverty, and more. Through my pictures, I aim to present visual evidence of our blue planet’s condition. I plan to showcase comparative images to highlight changes in specific places over 5-10 years, making it easier for conscious individuals and environmentalists to see the differences. Additionally, I strive to illuminate how future generations may be deprived of certain natural delights that we were fortunate to enjoy.
Consequently, active control measures should be taken by the government, knowledgeable citizens, and environmental workers to mitigate impending damages. While we can draw borders between states and nations to check illegal immigrants, we cannot draw a border in the air to prevent pollution from spreading. Hence, there is an immediate need to conserve our environment to make it a better living place for future generations.
Each of my pictures is unique, capturing a fraction of a second with far-reaching implications.
Through my work, I want to convey the fierceness of our beautiful environment and the urgent need for rapid action before we lose it forever. I hope my selection of photographs will help people understand the injuries we, as human beings, have inflicted on nature and how it is now retaliating,” wrote Supratim.
#15 “Mud Bath Ritual” By Johannes Panji Christo, Indonesia
Mangroves and People category, Winner. 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.
To be continue
