Mangroves are key to coastal protection, coastal ecology and are key spawning areas for aquatic life, and are under threat from man's increasing economic activities.

To understand the role of mangroves in a community living near a mangrove, the authors of this paper published in the Journal of Human Ecology, interviewed 125 people, in one such mangrove area located in Urrur Kuppam in the Adyar estuary in Chennai, Tamil Nadu.

From the results of the survey, the authors conclude that efforts have to be made to increase the awareness amongst those staying near mangroves on the issues of conservation and management of mangroves. The authors also point out that there is need to involve the surrounding community in any mangrove conservation and management plan.

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