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.
#16 “David vs. Goliath” By Abhishek Das, India
Mangroves and Wildlife category, Highly Commended.
Abhishek Das spies a delicate mudskipper perched boldly on the tail of a massive crocodile.
“Is the mudskipper really the David? Tiny yet fearless, it contrasts sharply with the powerful, armoured crocodile, highlighting the stark difference in their sizes and the audacity of the smaller creature. Meanwhile, the crocodile’s tail resembles the numerous fights it has been through.”
There is no doubt that photographing and sharing the stories behind mangroves is extra important. Therefore, we were curious what advice Leo Thom would give to aspiring photographers who aim to capture the essence of mangrove ecosystems and make their work stand out in future competitions.
“I think like any hobby or discipline, the more you practice, the better you get at it. And in the same way, the more you understand your subject which you are photographing, the better you will be able to capture what it is that you are seeing and want the viewer to see. So, my advice is to spend time within the mangroves; understand the tides, the dynamics, and how people or wildlife you are interested in are interacting with it. It’s fascinating and you will start to see the magic hidden within these ecosystems.”
#17 “Honey Heist” By Upamanyu Chakraborty, India
Mangroves and People category, Highly Commended.
In the Sundarbans, the Mawli embark on the dangerous operation to harvest rare mangrove honey.
“In the heart of the Sundarbans, as spring turns to early summer, these brave honey collectors embark on ‘Operation Golden Honey,’ sanctioned by the forest department. Their goal is the rare mangrove honey, celebrated for its unique flavor and medicinal properties.
“Wearing masks on the backs of their heads to deter tiger attacks, they spend two weeks living aboard hand-driven boats, navigating narrow channels amid threats from increasing storms due to climate change.
“This honey, rich in flavor and medicinal properties, is sold to the forest department, providing vital income. The Mawli’s sustainable practices ensure the honey harvest does not deplete bee populations or harm the environment, allowing the forest to thrive year after year.”
#18 “In Search Of Drinking Water” By Dipayan Bose, India
Mangroves and Threats category, Highly Commended.
Dipayan Bose witnesses a woman carrying a pot of drinking water surrounded by rising seawater in the Sundarbans, West Bengal.
“Due to repeated tropical cyclones and sea level rise in the Bay of Bengal, river embankments have broken and villages submerged. Farmlands and fisheries have been destroyed, and people are forced to take shelter in the upper lands, leaving their ancestral properties.
“Numerous diseases are now prevalent in these areas due to toxic water, malnutrition, and lack of proper medical support.”
Supratim also shared his advice to photographers passionate about environmental conservation.
“If you aspire to become an environmental conservationist through photography, passion for the environment is essential. You must possess in-depth knowledge of the regions where you work and build strong connections with climate-vulnerable communities. Remember, a photograph’s beauty alone is not enough; it must also be powerful. Only then can it create a significant impact on global audiences and prompt policymakers to take action for the betterment of humanity.”
#19 “Together” By Raj Hassanaly, Madagascar
Mangroves and Conservation Stories category, Runner Up.
Raj Hassanaly records restoration efforts by Anosikabija, a rural commune in Majunga, Madagascar.
“Bôndy, a private company working in ecosystem restoration, collaborates hand in hand with local communities to restore mangroves.
“The local communities realize that with the cutting of mangrove trees, it is becoming increasingly difficult to fish, catch crabs, or simply protect themselves from climate change and increasingly violent cyclones in these regions. Together, always with a smile and in good spirits, they traverse the mangroves to revive vast stretches of isolated land.”
#20 Sinking Sundarbans II By Supratim Bhattacharjee, India
Mangroves and People category, Highly Commended.
Two women helplessly watch sea waves reclaim their homes in the Sundarbans.
The Sundarbans archipelago spans the borders of India and Bangladesh, with India laying claim to 40% of its approximately 40,000 square kilometers. The area is known for its rich forest resources, which locals rely on for income.
But rampant deforestation coupled with worsening storms has intensified food and water scarcity, diminished agriculture productivity and soil quality, and turned local communities into climate refugees.
“The COVID-19 pandemic and ensuing lockdowns delivered a severe blow to local livelihoods, especially for migrant laborers who found themselves without income or support. Cyclones like Amphan and Yaas inflicted significant damage, leaving many without sustenance or shelter.
“Adequate preservation of mangroves could have mitigated the catastrophic toll of these events. The Sundarbans face the prospect of witnessing one of the largest human migrations in history, with Kolkata at risk of submersion.
Regarding technological advancements in photography, we asked Leo Thom to share his view of these tools helping photographers better capture and convey the critical importance of mangrove ecosystems.
Leo wrote: “With better cameras in different shapes and sizes becoming more available to everyone, you can really see the increase in diversity and quality looking through the last 10 years of the photography awards. I’d say we receive so many more drone aerial photos now than we used to, camera-trap photos and underwater. I think it’s brilliant to utilise these new technologies, especially as mangroves are tough environments to work in. Of course, these tools bring new perspectives also, and it can give us new insights into the importance of mangroves within the bigger ecosystem. When flying drones, do be careful about the impact it can have on birdlife.”
#21 “Guardians Of The Bay” By Jake Mason, Australia
Mangroves and Landscape category, Highly Commended.
A cluster of mangrove trees at the water’s edge guard the coastline, protecting against erosion and providing habitat for countless species.
“During our exploration, these mangroves, positioned at the forefront of Faure Island, stood out as natural defenders against coastal erosion.
“This photograph captures their dense roots and lush foliage at dusk, with the calm seas and fading light creating a tranquil yet powerful scene. The image underscores the importance of these ecosystems in maintaining coastal integrity and supporting marine life.”
#22 “Symbiosis” By Giacomo D’orlando, Indonesia
Mangroves and Conservation Stories category, Winner.
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.”
As the Mangrove Photography Awards continue to grow, Leo shared his aspirations for the future of this competition:
“I mentioned above we are seeing so many aerial photographs, perhaps that should be a new category next year. We are also about to launch our first People’s Choice Award, a selection of 9 awesome images from this year’s submissions, which will run for one week. Please check it out and vote for your favorite and have a chance to win a signed print. Check it out on our Instagram.
Our bigger aim for the project is that the awards inspires and catalyses conservation and restoration efforts of our mangrove ecosystems. We’re working hard with partners to keep raising awareness of mangroves, but in the end, we want it to directly lead to impact on the ground. So we’re looking to combine the storytelling world with the conservation and restoration world, ensuring the health of mangroves for generations to come.”
#23 “Satellite-Tagged Rewilding Hope” By Upamanyu Chakraborty, India
Mangroves and People category, Runner Up.
Upamanyu Chakraborty captures a Northern River terrapin (Batagur baska) before release as part of a conservation breeding program and rewilding in the Sundarbans.
“After a possible local extinction from the mangroves of Odisa, the estuaries of the Sundarbans are now the last resort of this brackish water-dwelling four-toed terrapin, thanks to relentless poaching for meat and harvesting eggs.
“However, a conservation breeding program was started in 2012 with a very small existing founder population from a village pond. Presently, this comprehensive program has reached a milestone. With blessings from ‘Bonbibi’, a deity worshipped by both Hindus and Muslims, who protect them from ‘Dakshinray’, the incarnation of Bengal Tigers, a successful rewilding program into the natural habitat of some sub-adult individuals with ‘Satellite tags’ was done in January 2022, along with a robust post-release monitoring program.
“By collecting the inputs from this pilot reintroduction, the hope is to bring back a viable population in the natural habitat of the Sundarbans.”
#24 “Guardians Of The Mangroves” By Olivier Clement, Bahamas
Mangroves and Underwater category, Winner.
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.”
Lastly, Leo added: “Just to say come and follow us across social and get involved if you are into photography or the environment.
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.”
#25 “The Fire Within” By Javier Orozco, Mexico
Mangroves and Wildlife category, Highly Commended.
Javier Orozco comes face to face with a crocodile at El Cora Crocodile Sanctuary in Bucerias in the State of Nayarit, Mexico.
“In the last 40 years, Banderas Bay has lost more than 80% of its wetlands to urban expansion. Crocodiles and other species continue to survive, now surrounded by busy highways, hotels, and condominiums.
“This crocodile sanctuary is a non-profit organization located next to a small lagoon. The surrounding area has been taken over by shopping centers, hotels, and condos and the biggest threat has been the “Flamingos” developers. Corrupt politicians have sold Federal and non-Federal land that has fragmented the remaining wetlands.”
#26 “Mangroves On Tidal Flats” By Stuart Chape, Australia
Mangroves and Landscape category, Highly Commended.
Mangrove forests grow along creek lines on the tidal flats of Kakadu National Park.
Stuart Chape captured this shot from a helicopter in Australia’s Northern Territory. Mangroves are a significant ecosystem in the park’s coastal zone, which is only accessible by boat or air. Here, mangroves not only provide coastal protection but are also high in biodiversity and provide an important resource for Aboriginal people.
#27 “The Last Mangrove” By Roun Ry, Cambodia
Mangroves and People category, Highly Commended.
Trapeang Sangkae Fishing Community Members help a group of locals to replant mangrove trees in Kampot, Cambodia.
“Bôndy, a private company working in ecosystem restoration, collaborates hand in hand with local communities to restore mangroves.
“The local communities realize that with the cutting of mangrove trees, it is becoming increasingly difficult to fish, catch crabs, or simply protect themselves from climate change and increasingly violent cyclones in these regions. Together, always with a smile and in good spirits, they traverse the mangroves to revive vast stretches of isolated land.”
#28 “Foggy Fusion” By Ammar Alsayed Ahmed, United Arab Emirates
Mangroves and Landscape category, Highly Commended.
Ammar Alsayed Ahmed captures a magical moment as dawn fog sweeps over the urban mangroves of Al Reem Island in Abu Dhabi.
The UAE’s coastline features 155 square kilometers of mangrove trees, known locally as Qurm. In the past, local communities heavily relied on qurm as a source of food, fuel, and for building ships and houses.
Across the country’s seven emirates, 13 important mangrove sites nestle along the coastline, including Al Hafiya in Khor Kalba, Sharjah, a Ramsar site of international importance.
#29 “Citrus Serenity” By Olivier Clement, Bahamas
Mangroves and Underwater category, Highly Commended.
Olivier Clement witnesses the grace of a lemon shark navigating the intricate mangrove maze beneath the Bahamas’ tranquil waters.
“As I waded through the shallow waters, camera in hand, I stumbled upon a breathtaking scene: a lemon shark gracefully gliding through the maze, its sleek form contrasting against the verdant backdrop of the mangroves.
“With every movement, the shark seemed to dance among the roots, a testament to the harmony between predator and habitat. The lemon shark, about a foot long, exuded a sense of tranquillity as it navigated the channels, its presence a reminder of the delicate balance within this thriving ecosystem.
“Capturing this moment was a privilege, a glimpse into the hidden wonders of the natural world and a testament to the importance of preserving such sanctuaries for generations to come.”
#30 “Roots And Refuge” By Mark Kevin Badayos, Philippines
Mangroves and Landscape category, Highly Commended.
This captivating image illustrates the role of mangrove roots in protecting and stabilizing shorelines. All sorts of diverse marine life are adapted to survive in the coastal habitats.
“Among the intricate roots of the mangroves, a solitary hermit crab stands guard, symbolizing the delicate balance of our coastal ecosystems.”
