Illustration/ Uday Mohite

Did you know that the Koli community worships the mangroves? That's because the trees, growing in brackish water at the interface of land and sea, are the breeding ground of young fish, and help generate revenue for the community. "They are a refuge for many marine organisms. The mangrove forests at Thane Creek also protect over 20,000 flamingoes that visit Mumbai every year. Both species (Lesser and Greater Flamingoes) feed on the mudflats during low tide, but rest along the creeks flanked by thick mangrove cover as they feel much safer here," says Dr Anish Andheria, president, Wildlife Conservation Trust and member of the Maharashtra State Board of Wildlife.