Video
Message from Md. Ruyel Miah, University of Waterloo & TBTI Bangladesh
Short essay
Megaprojects and Coastal Communities:
Case of Maheshkhali Island, Bangladesh
By Srijon Paul
Institute of Marine Sciences, University of Chittagong
Bangladesh
As a Bangladeshi youth, I have a responsibility to critically assess these trade-offs and push for a development strategy that balances economic progress with environmental sustainability and social equity.
Infrastructure development through various projects is rapidly progressing worldwide, shaping economies and modernizing societies. Following the global trend, Bangladesh is also advancing dramatically, undertaking plenty of development initiatives to foster economic growth and innovation. Bangladesh has become increasingly reliant on large-scale development projects, commonly referred to as megaprojects. Megaprojects such as these offer significant advantages, including the development of energy security, industrial advancement, and infrastructure. However, they often come at a high cost to local communities and the environment, particularly in coastal regions. This can be illustrated by the example of Maheshkhali Island in Bangladesh.
Maheshkhali is a unique coastal and hill-covered island covering approximately 362.18 sq. kilometers in Cox’s Bazar district on the southeastern side of Bangladesh. There has been a growing recognition recently that this island is at the center of the country’s energy and industrial transformation. Internationally and nationally, several donor agencies invest there. Consequently, it has been designated as a hub for several notable projects, including liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminals, deep-sea ports, coal-fired power plants, special economic zones, and tourism parks. While these projects provide investment and infrastructure, they also raise serious concerns about livelihood displacement, environmental degradation, and social inequality.
As a Bangladeshi youth, I have a responsibility to critically assess these trade-offs and push for a development strategy that balances economic progress with environmental sustainability and social equity.
Figure 1. Life on the island: Fishers are going on a voyage from Maheshkhali to off-shore. Cox Bazar. © Srijon Paul
Infrastructure development through various projects is rapidly progressing worldwide, shaping economies and modernizing societies. Following the global trend, Bangladesh is also advancing dramatically, undertaking plenty of development initiatives to foster economic growth and innovation. Bangladesh has become increasingly reliant on large-scale development projects, commonly referred to as megaprojects. Megaprojects such as these offer significant advantages, including the development of energy security, industrial advancement, and infrastructure. However, they often come at a high cost to local communities and the environment, particularly in coastal regions. This can be illustrated by the example of Maheshkhali Island in Bangladesh.
Maheshkhali is a unique coastal and hill-covered island covering approximately 362.18 sq. kilometers in Cox’s Bazar district on the southeastern side of Bangladesh. There has been a growing recognition recently that this island is at the center of the country’s energy and industrial transformation. Internationally and nationally, several donor agencies invest there. Consequently, it has been designated as a hub for several notable projects, including liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminals, deep-sea ports, coal-fired power plants, special economic zones, and tourism parks. While these projects provide investment and infrastructure, they also raise serious concerns about livelihood displacement, environmental degradation, and social inequality.
Socio-economic and environmental trade-off
The megaprojects on Maheshkhali require vast land acquisitions, often displacing small-scale resource users such as fishers, boat owners, salt farmers, and small-scale cultivators who have lived on the island for generations. Many affected families face inadequate compensation, loss of ancestral land, and uncertain futures in an already fragile economy, according to their complement. Aquatic resources, which have long supported artisanal fishers, are now at risk as industrial expansion disrupts breeding grounds and traditional fishing zones, pushing fishers into deeper, riskier waters. Additionally, the encroachment of industrial projects threatens salt farming and betel leaf cultivation, vital sources of income for many residents. Without inclusive policies ensuring fair compensation, skill development, and alternative livelihood options, the very communities that have sustained Maheshkhali for centuries may be pushed further into poverty.
Large-scale industrialization on Maheshkhali threatens the island’s delicate ecosystems, increasing its vulnerability to environmental degradation and climate-related disasters. The destruction of coastal mangroves, which serve as natural barriers against cyclones and storm surges, has intensified due to expanding industrial zones, leaving the island more exposed to extreme weather events. Moreover, the construction of LNG terminals and power plants poses risks of oil spills, chemical discharge and thermal pollution, endangering marine biodiversity and local fisheries. Coal-based power plants further contribute to air pollution and acid rain, while industrial waste contaminates groundwater sources, jeopardizing both human health and ecological balance. These environmental threats undermine the long-term resilience of Maheshkhali and its people, exacerbating the island’s susceptibility to climate change-driven disasters.
While megaprojects on Maheshkhali promise economic growth and job creation, the distribution of benefits remains unequal, often marginalizing local communities. Many highly skilled jobs in industrial plants and LNG facilities require technical expertise that residents lack, and without proper training programs, most employment opportunities go to outsiders. At the same time, industrialization drives up land prices and the overall cost of living, making it increasingly difficult for low-income families to sustain themselves. Additionally, the island’s transformation into an industrial hub threatens traditional ways of life, including fishing, salt farming, and small-scale trades, leading to cultural erosion. If economic benefits do not reach displaced and marginalized communities, these megaprojects will exacerbate social inequalities rather than alleviate them.
A call for sustainable development
Megaprojects are not inherently detrimental, but their success depends on careful planning that prioritizes sustainability and social justice. In Bangladesh, responsible development on Maheshkhali must balance economic growth with environmental protection and the well-being of local communities. Inclusive decision-making should be at the core of project planning, ensuring that affected communities have a voice in negotiations. Transparent compensation mechanisms must be established, providing fair land prices, relocation support and alternative livelihood programs to prevent displacement-driven poverty. Additionally, ecological safeguards are crucial; industrial expansion should be accompanied by mangrove restoration initiatives to maintain coastal resilience, while strict environmental regulations must be enforced to prevent pollution and marine degradation.
To ensure local employment opportunities, vocational training centers should be set up to equip residents with the technical skills needed for jobs in new industries. Moreover, supporting sustainable businesses such as eco-tourism, renewable energy startups, and sustainable aquaculture can create long-term economic stability for islanders. Sustainable energy planning is also essential; rather than relying on fossil fuel-based projects, Bangladesh should expand investments in renewable energy solutions such as offshore wind and solar farms. Integrating climate adaptation strategies into development plans will further ensure that megaprojects do not exacerbate environmental risks. By adopting these measures, Bangladesh can achieve responsible development, fostering economic progress while safeguarding the environment, culture, and communities of Maheshkhali.
Youth in advocating for just development
As young people, we have a responsibility to question, innovate, and advocate for a sustainable and just future. Here’s how we can contribute:
- Raise Awareness: By using digital platforms, campaigns and public forums to highlight the voices of affected communities.
- Push for Policy Reforms: Engaging with policymakers, environmental groups and researchers to promote sustainable development policies.
- Support Community-Based Solutions: Working with local organizations to implement alternative livelihoods and conservation initiatives.
- Promote Ocean Literacy Among School Kids: Organizing interactive workshops, visual storytelling sessions, and community events in coastal areas to educate children, especially those from small-scale fishing (SSF) communities, about marine ecosystems, plastic pollution, and sustainable fishing practices.
Bangladesh’s development must not come at the cost of its people and environment. If planned responsibly, Maheshkhali Island can become a model for sustainable, inclusive, and climate-resilient growth. The future is ours to shape—let’s build it wisely.
About the author
Srijon Paul is an early-career marine scientist with a strong interest in environmental conservation, marine protected areas management, ecotoxicology, plastic pollution, and the circular economy. Besides an undergraduate degree, he holds a postgraduate degree in Marine Science from the University of Chittagong, Bangladesh. Recently, he has been working as a research assistant at the Institute of Marine Sciences, University of Chittagong, under the Plastic Free Rivers and Seas for South Asia (PLEASE) Project, financed by the World Bank, with SACEP and UNOPS implementation support. His research focuses on sustainable ocean governance, socio-ecological systems, and community-based resource management. Passionate about policy-driven solutions, he aims to bridge science and society for a sustainable future.