The importance of mangroves in Sri Lanka

Mangroves are a really big topic in my country and Schools are

teaching kids about them.
Education is key as mangroves play a crucial role in Sri Lanka's -- and
the world's -- coastal ecosystem that extends far beyond the
aesthetics they bring to a boat tour.
They provide critical shelter for young fish (replenishing coral reefs
and fisheries, thus facilitating the livelihood of Sri Lankans who fish
for a living) and sequester up to 50 times more carbon dioxide than
other kinds of forests, making them indispensable in combating
climate change.
They also act as a buffer against tropical storms, reducing damage
to coastal communities. (Some studies have shown that areas with
more substantial mangrove forests fared better during the 2004
tsunami than did communities without them.) But for all their
virtues, mangroves are also at risk, having been dangerously
depleted in recent decades thanks in large part to the country's
shrimp-farming industry.
"Sri Lanka generally lacks rules and education about the
environment," says Priyankara.