The red crab population is quickly going down, which is bad news for both the local ecosystem and the region’s tourism attractiveness. These crabs used to be common on the wide, sandy beach of Cox’s Bazar.  People say that the rapid drop in the number of these creatures in Bangladesh’s most popular beach location is because of unregulated tourist activities, people bothering them, and harmful fishing methods.

Experts and locals, on the other hand, think that a concerted effort to protect the crabs might not only stop this trend but also bring in a new wave of ecotourists who are drawn to the sight of the crabs wandering on the beach.

The decline of red crabs is a threat to the beaches of Cox’s Bazar, but conservation efforts are already in place.

Reasons for the Decline and Local Worries

People who live in the area say that red crabs are still present in smaller numbers on some parts of the beaches in Teknaf, Inani, and Himchhari, but there are a lot fewer of them.

Osman Sarwar, who lives in Shafir Beel, said that a number of things came together:

Illegal fishing nets: Nets that have been left behind, often known as “current nets”, are deadly traps for crabs.

Human disturbance and noise pollution: Tourists’ careless behaviour, especially riding motorbikes and beach bikes, damages the crabs’ fragile homes.

Horseback riding that isn’t controlled also hurts crab habitats.

Mr Sarwar says that human actions and uncontrolled tourism have led to a big decline in the number of crabs in places like Inani and Himchhari.

The Community Takes Action

The Arannayk Foundation, a local non-profit group that works to protect the environment, started a Community-Based Crab Conservation Group (CCG) to fight the threat.  The Forest Department, the Department of Environment (DoE), and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) are all helping with this project, which is called “Ecosystem Awareness and Restoration Through Harmony (EARTH).”

There are 25 young people from the area in the CCG who have learnt about biodiversity, climate change, and how to adapt.  They have successfully taught approximately 300 people, including locals, kids, and visitors, how important it is to protect red crabs for the beach’s total biodiversity.

Rezaul Karim, the leader of CCG, said that they are focusing on teaching both tourists and fishermen about the dangers of beach vehicles and trash nets.  He said, “If we protect the red crabs, more tourists will come to see them and enjoy the beaches.”

Takiur Rahman, another member of the CCG, said that they used loudspeakers and met with local officials and mosque imams to spread the word about conservation. This shows that more people in the community are becoming aware.

Keeping Habitats Safe

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List says that the red crab is of “Least Concern”, yet the group strongly suggests that its habitats be protected.

The initiatives are now getting stronger and leading to official action.  Osman Sarwar and other people from the area are pushing for the Baliakhali beach in Ukhyia, where there are still a lot of crabs, to be made a sanctuary.

Firoz Al Amin, the range officer for the Inani forest range, said that he has sent a proposal to the government in charge to make Baliakhali beach a protected area for the red crabs.  He also said that the Forest Department is working hard to protect the beaches in Cox’s Bazar.