Mangroves has always been a wonder to me, the amazing adaptive features of mangroves could be the reason, combined with its natural ability to protect the coastal regions. But why are we ignoring the importance of this valuable or even endangered shrub/ tree? It’s us “Homo sapiens” taking charge of the planet! Human intervention is at its peak, destroying the mangroves along with the biodiversity that it harbours.

(A brief description: Mangrove is a large tropical evergreen tree, genus Rhizophora, which grows on muddy tidal flats and along protected ocean shorelines. They are most abundant in tropical Asia, Africa, and the islands of the SW Pacific.

Mangroves produce from their trunks aerial roots that become embedded in the mud and form a tangled network; this serves both as a prop for the tree and as a means of aerating the root system. Such roots also form a base for the deposit of silt and other material carried by the tides, and thus land is built up which is gradually invaded by other vegetation).

The mangrove forests also can protect inland coastal areas by absorbing the effects of storm and some tsunami waves. They form excellent breeding grounds for estuarine fishes, crabs and other water creatures. Mangroves have been harvested destructively on a large scale. The bark is a rich source of tannins, and the wood is used for wharf pilings and other purposes. Recently land reclamation is progressing at an alarming rate, therefore mangroves have entered the list of endangered species. After a period of 50 years time, probably our future generations will not be able to see this wonderful tree/ shrub, which have a lot to offer for us “Home sapiens”.

If anybody is engaged with mangroves and its conservation please do leave a comment, and others who haven’t heard about this tree, please pass the message and try to create some awareness. Development agencies please consider environmental policies and restrict construction works along the coastline ie; mainly construction of sea-view luxury apartments. Creating awareness and its importance is the greatest tool for conservation.

Let “Save mangroves” be your motto for today and everyday. This is just one of the species to be saved from the huge jaws of “Homo sapiens”, more species are coming up in the future posts!! That is to be saved…….