Myanmar sees the price of destroying mangroves

Mangroves act as a natural buffer against strong winds, storms and similar extreme weather events. They also help prevent waves from damaging inland areas. A study carried out after the tsunami in Asia in 2004 revealed that areas that had healthy mangrove cover had been less affected. In Myanmar, coastal areas are heavily populated. This, in combination with the degradation and encroachment of large chunks of mangrove habitats, caused a greater number of deaths during the cyclone. According to the UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), Asia has suffered the greatest loss of mangrove forests with about 1.9 million ha. already lost.

June 2008