The International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem is being celebrated today to raise awareness of the pressing need to protect nature and human settlements.

Geneva.- In the last 40 years, over 50% of the world’s mangrove forests have gone, and to some extent such a situation was caused by man, putting food sovereignty of the people at risk, according to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

Mangroves also serve as natural barriers to prevent tsunamis, hurricanes, and other serious climate change-caused issues.

Mangroves are highly productive ecosystems present in 123 countries, located in tropical and subtropical regions, with a marked presence in Latin America and the Caribbean. (PL)