The need to save our mangroves

Not many of us are aware that mangrove forests, normally found in marshy areas between the shore and the sea, can make a difference in mitigating climate change, with their ability to serve as carbon sinks.

We don’t have to look far for signs of the devastation. One such affected area is Indonesia’s South Sulawesi, in which over the past 30 years close to 90 per cent of the total original mangrove forest has faced massive destruction due to deforestation, over-harvesting and pollution.

The Asean Centre for Biodiversity (ACB), in a report, said that Southeast Asia suffers from the highest rate of mangrove losses, with at least 600 square kilometres being stripped away each year over the last two decades. This turn of events is quite alarming because the Asean region holds about one-third of all mangrove forest area worldwide.

With an area covering around 6 million hectares of mangroves in the Southeast Asian region, the potential for absorbing carbon is huge. Environmentalists note that as mangroves are in the frontline of anticipated sea-level rises, they can provide immediate protection to coastal communities from associated storm surges and erosion. Mangroves also play a significant role as hatcheries and nurseries for marine life, as well as forming habitats for several species of plants and animals, some of which are unique and endangered.

We have to remember that climate change is the biggest environmental challenge that we face. So, before we blindly cut our mangrove trees, do spare a thought. Our planet will be a lot warmer without our mangrove forests.