Mangrove ecosystems are considered as the nursery ground of most of the commercially important brackish water fin fishes, crustaceans and molluscs. Studies show that fish productivity of a particular region will increase with an increase in the mangrove area of the premises. It is estimated that the ecological contribution of mangrove ecosystem towards the brackishwater fish production of the given area ranges from 10-32%. Kerala had a mangrove habitat of 700 km2 earlier, which has now been decreased to 17 km2 within a period of 3 to 4 decades. It is a matter of great concern that whether this increased rate of ecosystem degradation has affected the local fish production. The present study was performed in Puduveypu area of Cochin as part of the project entitled "Mangroves for fisheries and environmental enhancement-a comprehensive intervention through participatory approach" funded by Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB), Government of India. During the last three decades, the mangrove habitat of Puduveypu has come down from 314 to 185 acres. This has eventually reduced the availability of many brackish water fish seeds and fish. One of the objectives of the study was to assess the impact of the depletion of mangrove ecosystem on the local economy especially pertaining to the women folk. To have a first brush estimate, a questionnaire survey was carried out among the local female inhabitants with the help of 25 Kudumbasree Groups (bonafide groups formed under the women empowerment programme by the State Poverty Eradication Mission (SPEM) of the Government of Kerala). A total number of 1966 people were surveyed. General characteristics of the respondents like age, sex, family details, education, income, fishery resources from mangroves and knowledge on the ecological benefits of mangrove ecosystem were analyzed. The demographic distribution data shows that a few years back, 80% of the local inhabitants (men) were involved in small scale fishing activities and almost 100% women were engaged in ancillary activities. The major protein source of the region was the seafood caught from the brackish water areas of the mangrove ecosystem. It was observed that the mangrove destruction and associated water quality deterioration have led to reduced catch rates. Sadly, the average daily income of the womenfolk from the fish related activities has now been scaled down from Rs. 800/- to Rs.200/- and many of them even left the sector. The abandoned women slowly shifted to 'daily labour' and other miscellaneous jobs for their livelihood. Reduction in the daily fish catch forced the villagers to buy the fish from markets which shattered their family budget to the extent of 12 to 18%. Related increase in the fish price made it inaccessible to poor people especially women, who generally suffer more in the time of food shortage. It is a proven fact that women are more likely to carry the burden of environmental degradation and climate change than men. Both gender justice and environmental justice are tangled and it is important to develop gender sensitive strategies towards ecosystem degradation especially in the developing and under developed countries.