Myanmar: Burma’s mangroves in danger of extinction

May 4, 2014 | Zaw Htet, Democratic Voice of Burma
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Thick mangrove forests once lined Burma’s coastline, but in the past 30 years over half of the country’s mangrove forests have been destroyed.

Mangrove trees are an essential part of river ecosystems. They protect the riverbanks from soil erosion by acting as a buffer between the land and sea.

The long roots provide shelter for breeding fish, shrimp and crabs.

Mangroves are also an important natural barrier against floods and storm surges.

Aung Win earns his living by cutting down trees in Irrawaddy Division’s Ni Thaung mangrove forest to sell as firewood.

He used to be a fisherman but, ironically, due to the destruction of the mangroves, fish levels dropped in the estuary.