Moreover, the loss of mangroves also represents a grave loss
of biodiversity and source of income for thousands of coastal
fishing communities which traditionally use mangroves as a
source of food, timber and other products on a sustainable
basis (Platong and Sitthirach, 1997). The lack of involvement
of local communities in land-use planning, issues related to
resource ownership and land-tenure rights, the open-access
nature of coastal resources, and limited awareness of the
benefits and functions of mangroves have all contributed to
this problem (Erftemeijer and Sayaka, 1998).