01/08/2026
Not an empty wilderness but a cradle of life. Every root offers shelter. Every seed carries a promise.
Standing among the mangroves of Marawila, our Sustainability and Experiences Manager shares why these remarkable ecosystems matter, not only for the wildlife they support, but also for the communities that depend on them and the future they help protect.
Here, where the land gently yields to the sea, the mangroves of Marawila nurture an extraordinary web of life while quietly capturing and storing vast amounts of carbon. These remarkable forests are the silent architects of our coastline. Their intricate root systems provide vital habitat for fish, crabs, birds, and countless other species, support the livelihoods of coastal fishing communities, improve water quality by trapping sediments, and help shield our shores from waves, storm surges, and erosion.
Beneath the surface, their waterlogged soils lock away carbon for centuries, making mangrove ecosystems among the world's most effective natural carbon sinks, often referred to as blue carbon ecosystems.
Sri Lanka is home to approximately 28 species of true mangroves and around 18 associated mangrove species, thriving along the island's lagoons, estuaries, and sheltered coastlines. Marawila forms part of the country's western coastal mangrove belt, linked to the Chilaw–Puttalam lagoon system. Though rich in ecological value, these forests are increasingly fragmented, with Sri Lanka's remaining mangrove cover estimated at just 6,000–7,000 hectares.
The passage of time has not been kind to these ecosystems. The 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami caused significant damage to mangrove habitats across the country, while decades of coastal development have taken an even greater toll. Between the 1980s and 1990s, the Puttalam Lagoon region experienced substantial mangrove loss, largely driven by the expansion of shrimp aquaculture, leaving once-continuous forests broken into isolated fragments.
Conservation begins with understanding, and stewardship grows through shared responsibility. By supporting education, raising awareness, and working alongside local communities, we hope to help protect these extraordinary ecosystems so they continue to shelter biodiversity, sustain livelihoods, capture carbon, and inspire future generations for years to come.
