As a school student, you must have studied about the mangroves and its important as your academic circular. Teachers must have told you the benefits of it and why we should protect them from destruction.

In Goa, you will notice mangroves all over the state specifically near the banks of river Mandovi, Zuari and even their tributaries. Mangroves hold a very important position and are crucial to Goa’s environment. But, in recent few years state has lost many of its mangroves along the Riverside due to multiple construction activities. To highlight the importance of the mangroves, Imagine Panaji Smart City Development Ltd (IPSCDL) under the Smart City Mission has built Mangrove Boardwalk which is also marked as India’s second Mangrove Boardwalk. Andaman island remaining the first to create such wonder.

Mangrove Boardwalk is located near the Central Library over the Rua de Ourem Creek. This walkway is developed as a tourist attraction in the Panjim city, offering a long walk along a green patch consisting of mangroves. Not only tourist but locals also find some peace time at this newly developed walkway.
At the entrance, you will find the board briefing about the mangroves and its important to the environment. The board highlights various uses of mangroves like a shelter for terrestrial life, shoreline protection, etc. The walkway is stretched around 1100 sq meters. The wood used to develop the creation is polished and coated with the linseed oil for its prevention. The damp soil beneath the walkway is the home for hundreds of crabs. You will notice around 14 different variety of Mangroves while you take around on this walkway.
Entry to this Mangrove Boardwalk is free and one can find it very easily. College-goers have found this place surrounded by the green mangroves a spot for taking photographs and fill their social channel profiles with lot many photos. Not only teenagers but every elderly people are also visiting this place to experience peace and calmness in the surrounding and take one step closer to the nature. This initiative is not only a medium for entertainment but also helping people from all age group to understand the importance of mangroves clearly.

Let’s have a look at some of the importance of the mangroves and how it is crucial for the Goa’s environment.
Mangroves play an important role in protecting the land, keeping it intact and avoid the flooding that has been happening in many areas of the country. During Storms and heavy rainfall, Mangroves helps in protecting the sea border area and minimise the damage. They protect the shoreline from waves, floods, storms and hurricane winds. It is also home to various kinds of marine life and even some animals, birds and various plant species. Mangroves also help in preventing erosion by stabilising sediments with their tangled root systems. It has also proved that mangroves as compared to other plants also absorb eight times more carbon dioxide.

Did you visit? No, then plan a day out to this amazing Mangrove Boardwalk with your family or friends.