Mangroves are tropical trees which are extremely important for the protection of coastlines and lessens the effects of climate change. Mangroves play a vital role in the protection and growth of coastal and inland people. People in 128 countries and territories depend directly on mangroves for various products like wood, fish, medicines, shrimps and many others that are necessary for food security and nutrition. However, nature's ecological balance is vanishing quickly due to human activities. The International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem is observed annually on July 26 aimed at highlighting the issue of decreasing mangrove cover and ways to protect it. Bullet Train’s Cost on Nature: 54,000 Mangroves to Be Uprooted in Maharashtra Alone.

Mangroves have an intricate root system which attracts many fish and other organisms, who make it their home to stay away from predators. The International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem was adopted by the General Conference of the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in 2015 aims to raise awareness of the importance of mangrove ecosystems as "a unique, special and vulnerable ecosystem" and to promote solutions for their sustainable management, conservation and uses. Forest Land in India: With 24.4% of Area Under Tree Cover, Nation Ranks 10th in The World.

International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem (Photo Credits: Pixabay)

The General Conference of the UNESCO, at its 38th session, passed a resolution to adopt July 28, as the International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem. The UNESCO's proclamation states that, "Considering that mangroves are a unique, special and vulnerable ecosystem, providing by virtue of their existence, biomass and productivity substantial benefits to human beings, providing forestry, fishery goods and services as well as contributing to the protection of the coastline and being particularly relevant in terms of mitigation of the effects of climate change and food security for local communities." International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem 2019: Why Protecting Mangroves Is Important for our Environment.

Mangrove forests only grow at tropical and subtropical latitudes near the equator where temperatures are comparatively warmed. They cannot grow in freezing temperatures. Mangroves are important to thwart natural disasters like storms, tsunamis, erosions and any other similar intervention. Mangroves are depleting are a faster pace today due to rapid industrialisation, pollution and demand for housing. It is important for citizens and local governments to take initiative to be aware of the issue and save the further destruction of the mangrove ecosystem.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jul 26, 2019 07:30 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).