Myanmar has experienced a significant loss of its national mangrove forests, primarily due to the expansion of the rice, palm oil and rubber plantation sectors in recent decades. Similarly, in Indonesia and Thailand, mangrove forests have undergone substantial degradation, largely because of the growth of aquaculture, which has altered the natural landscape and disturbed the hydrological system, inducing pollution and algal blooms.
Furthermore, illicit logging of mangrove forests for fuel and construction material has led to the depletion of coverage along the eastern coast of Sumatra in Indonesia.
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Indonesian environmentalist on a mission to save mangroves and tackle coastal erosion
Indonesian environmentalist on a mission to save mangroves and tackle coastal erosion
The destruction of these mangrove forests has a cumulative effect, resulting in a cycle of ecological catastrophe and socioeconomic vulnerability within Southeast Asia. One example of this can be seen in the densely populated Irrawaddy Delta, close to Yangon, Myanmar’s leading urban centre.
Over the past three decades, more than 112,000 hectares of mangrove forests have vanished within the delta. This has brought with it tangible harm to people living in the area, exemplified by Cyclone Nargis in 2008, which ravaged the delta and claimed the lives of an estimated 140,000 people. Such calamities show the dire repercussions of mangrove forest depletion on human welfare.
In the northern region of Sabah, in Malaysia, the establishment of shrimp farms and timber plantations has led to the loss of indigenous mangrove forests. As a result, communities that rely on these ecosystems are suffering a profound loss of livelihood. Moreover, local wildlife faces imminent extinction as a result of habitat degradation.
Meanwhile, the pervasive illegal logging of mangrove forests along the east coast of Riau, in Indonesia, is causing coastal erosion. More than a kilometre of land has now been taken by the sea in Indragiri Hilir Regency. About 2,000 hectares of coconut plantations have suffered substantial damage, rendering them unsuitable for harvesting. Consequently, more than 100 families are being deprived of a livelihood from farming.
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Indian women plant thousands of mangrove trees to defend coastal villages against cyclones
Indian women plant thousands of mangrove trees to defend coastal villages against cyclones
The destruction of mangrove forests has also displaced the Duano tribe from their traditional habitat in Riau. Historically, mangrove forests served as the primary source of sustenance for this fishing community. However, the depletion of their natural habitat has led to the destruction of fish breeding grounds. Consequently, the fish population has declined sharply, directly reducing the catch of the Duano.
The destruction of mangrove forests has a big effect on coastal villages, putting them at greater risk of flooding. In 2020, for example, more than 1,100 villages in Indonesia were listed as submerged.
The degradation of mangrove forests is further compounded by rising sea levels attributable to climate change, and land subsidence as a result of extractive industrial operations, including forestry, plantations and mining. These factors are exacerbating the risk of flooding for coastal villages across Indonesia.
Should the current trend of destruction persist, the future of Southeast Asia’s mangrove forests looks grim. Land-use changes are likely to remain a principal driver of mangrove depletion in the short to medium term, propelled in part by coastal urbanisation: the population of Southeast Asia’s coastal areas is predicted to surge from more than 130 million in 2000 to close to 300 million by 2060.
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Future population growth poses a significant challenge to the region’s economy and food security. Projections indicate a need for increased aquaculture production to satisfy rising demand for protein sources.
Additionally, the clearance of mangrove forests for plantations is expected to continue, which will adversely affect environmental sustainability. Without prudent management, demographic pressures could lead to ecological crises and famine.
Climate change is expected to exacerbate the difficulties facing coastal regions. Numerous major urban centres in Southeast Asia could be at risk of flooding, or worse, due to rising sea levels predicted by the end of the century. If the current trajectory of global carbon emissions continues, major regional cities such as Yangon, Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh City and Manila could be among the worst affected.
Black mangroves are seen near Shui Hau on south Lantau Island, Hong Kong, on November 23, 2023. The destruction of mangrove forests affects coastal areas, putting them at greater risk of flooding. Photo: Dickson Lee
Safeguarding this delicate coastal ecosystem requires immediate action from all stakeholders. Governments must enhance regulations for the preservation and restoration of mangrove forests at the regional level. Civil society needs to persist in advocating for the effective implementation of environmental policies.
Without collective awareness and a shared commitment to preserving mangrove forests, the future of Southeast Asia’s coastal areas and the livelihoods of tens of millions of people will remain bleak. The preservation of our invaluable natural heritage hinges on swift, prudent action at this juncture.
Mohammad Yunus is currently pursuing a master’s degree in biological sciences at Khon Kaen University, Thailand
