Mangroves are wetland ecosystems found mainly along the tropical and sub – tropical inter- tidal regions of the world. It is formed by special types of plants and animals associated together over a long evolutionary time in the low – lying coastal estuaries, backwaters and lagoons.

Mangroves literally live in two worlds at once, acting as the interface between land and sea. They help protect coastal lines from erosion, storm damage and wave action. They prevent shoreline erosion by acting as buffers and catch alluvial materials. Mangroves provide safe havens and are nursery for a variety of fish, birds and shellfish.

Mangroves are also used as timber for building dwellings and boats and also as fuel wood for cooking and heating.

However, for many people mangroves are just muddy, swampy places filled with snakes and other animals. So they tend to destroy them. There had been about 700 sq km of mangroves in Kerala a few decades ago. It has been now reduced to about 50 sq km only.