Sustenance of a healthy mangrove environment is possible through collective management, especially with community involvement. Joint Mangrove Management (JMM) and village development activities were being implemented in seven villages in Pichavaram (4) and Muthupet (3) for last five years, through the ICEF project. As part of the withdrawal strategy, a capacity building exercise for the Self Help Group (SHG) and Village Mangrove Management Council (VMDC) members was proposed so that, the participants can independently lead their respective groups and undertake sustained development activities in their areas.