Tuesday, February 24, 2009
"If there are no mangrove forests, then there will have no meaning. It is like having a tree with no roots, for the mangroves are the roots of the sea."
Growing in the inter-tidal areas and estuary mouths between land and sea, mangroves provide critical habitat for a diverse marine and terrestrial flora and fauna. Healthy mangrove forests are key to a healthy marine ecology. The best of mangroves are found in Asia, especially in India and Bangladesh. The main culprit in the destruction of mangroves is Man. To achieve supremacy over Nature, human beings have destroyed this magnificent ecosystem almost irreparably. Land reclamations and industrial effluents are the major causes for mangrove degradation. The western bank of the Thane creek is the single largest mangrove belt in Mumbai. The Vikhroli Mangrove Park in Mumbai, where around 30 species of birds are found during winter, enhances the unique quality of this place.
Why should we protect mangroves?
• Mangroves are buffers between the land and sea and hence they protect the land from erosion. • They are land builders.
• They harbour a variety of life forms like invertebrates, fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds and even mammals like tigers.
• Mangroves are the main source of income generation for shoreline communities like fisher folk.
Special thanks and acknowledgements to:
http://timesfoundation.indiatimes.com/articleshow/44171098.cmsposted by:
Abigail Lim, Nicole Lim and Angelyn Ong
living nature
4:11 AM
