Panama City, July 18, (PL/RHC).- Cuba is among the countries in the world developing activities to promote the growth and disinfection of mangrove swamps, as reported by the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP).

The UNEP document, entitled “World Atlas of Mangrove Swamps”, evaluates the current situation of the ecological areas.

Nations such as Australia, Bangladesh, Benin, Brazil, Cuba, India, Indonesia, Pakistan, Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam are working in favor of mangrove restoration.

The study said mangrove swamps are being lost at a rhythm 3 or 4 times higher than the world’s forests, despite measures taken to protect them. The main reason is the use of mangrove for aquiculture, agriculture and urban development.

The UN Environment Program also insists on the urgent need to work more intensively on the conservation of the world’s ecosystems.

Dr. Mark Spalding, main author of the “World Atlas of Mangrove Swamps”, said these areas are an illustration of why human beings need nature.

Mangrove swamps help to prevent erosion and mitigate the natural risks of hurricanes and tsunamis, among other things.