"...The fate of the Ayeyarwaddy delta mangroves in Myanmar, where mangrove forestlands were reclaimed mainly for paddy (rice) over many decades, illustrates how mangroves are being degraded and destroyed, generally at a very much higher rate than that of tropical rainforests. The delta was formerly covered with dense mangrove forests, most of which has been cleared during the last two decades to grow rice and to produce charcoal for domestic use..."