What are mangroves and in what way are they useful to us?

Mangroves are the tropical forests, consisting of salt resistant vegetation, found mainly in tidal regions. They are mainly found on coast line, estuaries, tidal creeks, backwaters and salt marshes.

Benefits of Mangroves:

• They protect vulnerable coastlines from wave action because they hold the soil together and prevent coastal erosion.
• Mangroves shield inland areas during storms and minimise damage.
• They provide homes for several species of plants and animals.
• They support biodiversity.
• By supporting huge variety of flora and fauna, these wetland vegetation have gained immense importance in our ecosystem.

In India, they are found on sea coast areas, in the deltas of rivers and Islands. In West-Bengal, they are known as Sunderbans due to Sundari trees. India is home of one-tenth of total mangroves of the world but due to deforestation they have become threatened ecosystem.

Topics: GS-III: Conservation Environmental Pollution Degradation