The surface of the mangroves which was 4000 hectares in 1988, passed to 2000 hectares in 1995 and to 800 hectares only in 2004, that is to say a disappearance of more than 4/5 of the total surface of mangroves. Some sites of mangroves have remained without regeneration for more than five (05) years.

The damage is significant and visible on the ground. Some of these ecosystems are threatened of disappearance. This situation is very alarming, because the ecosystems of mangroves contain a broad spectrum of vegetable and animal biological diversity. The significant abandoned biomass constitutes a major obstacle for spontaneous regen

eration. The rotting of the branches and the stilts roots enhance the acidification of the soil and the growth of the floating plants. One also observes the disappearance of the fauna of the mangrove related to the reduction of the space, which results in a decrease of the halieutic productivity, a serious threat for the daily survival of the local populations. To face this situation, it becomes urgent to undertake concrete actions of research, information, training, reforestation and lobbying/advocacy for a sustainable management of mangroves in Togo. That is why our organisation, the National Consumers and Environmental Alliance of Togo (ANCE/Togo) is currently preparing a program for sustainable management of mangroves in Togo.

We are currently working to contact donors around the world to save the Togolese mangroves. If nothing is done, within 2015, there will not be mangroves in Togo.