Dr. Khan Tanveer Habeeb

Abstract:
Mangrove forests are one of the most productive and biologically important ecosystems of the world because they provide many important and unique ecosystem products and services to human beings and coastal and marine system. The forests also help to stabilize shoreline and also reduce the devastating impact of natural disasters such as tsunamis and hurricanes. They also provide breeding ground for marine species, food, medicine, fuel and building materials for local community people. The mangrove population has felt both direct and indirect effects due to coastal engineering and human development, resulting in a devastating decline in population. This decline has led to a negative effect in other ecosystems that are dependent on mangrove forest for survival (Saenger, 2002). In just last few years, at least 35 per cent of the world's mangroves have been degraded, exceeding the rate of the vanishing of rainforests. The present research article lays emphasis on the need and important benefits of mangroves, the causes of degradation and destruction of mangroves and the relation between sustainable development and mangroves.