The Japanese have come to the rescue of ailing mangrove trees in Sri Lanka. Japan's Institute of Technology on Fisheries and Fishing Communities has come forward to provide aid for a major mangrove rehabilitation scheme which began recently in the Chilaw district in Nattandiya. Nearly 10,000 mangrove plants were planted along the banks of the Talwil Gembrandiya lagoon in the area as part of the project. Mangroves play a vital role in the conservation of environment and help the spawning and breeding of number of fish species.