Joining hands to keep and restore mangrove forests

Mangroves can mitigate air pollution and improve the quality of air. Many organizations in Khanh Hoa Province are joining effort to restore mangrove forests.

Keeping and cultivating mangroves

On June 18, students and teachers from Nha Trang Universities and other universities in Nha Trang City cultivated 7,000 mangrove trees covering 1ha in Nha Phu Swamp in Ninh Ich Commune, Ninh Hoa Town. Nha Trang University jointly with Nha Trang Bay Management Board cultivated 5,000 mangrove trees covering 0.7ha along Tac River in Phuoc Dong Commune, Nha Trang City to create sustainable landscape for Tac river area.

The activity is under the project "Mangrove forest management and restoration in the northern Khanh Hoa Province - Towards sustainable landscape" directed by Associate Professor, PhD. Dang Thuy Binh, Senior Lecturer of the Institute of Biotechnology and Environment (Nha Trang University).

Nha Trang University students plant mangroves by Tac River.

According to Associate Professor, PhD. Dang Thuy Binh, mangrove cultivation and restoration in the 2 communes of Ninh Ich and Phuoc Dong are among main activities of the project "Mangrove forest management and restoration in the northern Khanh Hoa Province - Towards sustainable landscape" assigned to Nha Trang University by the Ministry of Education and Training.

“Within the framework of the project, we will plant 10ha of mangroves and manage 70 ha of mangroves in the coastal localities of Van Ninh, Ninh Hoa and Nha Trang to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Besides, the project also supports sustainable livelihood for 10 families and provides knowledge on restoration and sustainable management of mangroves for about 1,100 residents living by mangrove forests,” she said.

Along with mangrove management and restoration implemented by Nha Trang University, Nha Trang Bay Management Board has also organized several activities to plant and restore mangroves on Nha Trang Bay and along rivers in Nha Trang.

Accordingly, on the occasion of Nha Trang - Khanh Hoa Sea Festival 2023, Nha Trang Bay Management Board jointly with Nha Trang Beautiful Bay Club cultivated 1.4ha of mangroves in Dam Bay and 0.6ha of mangroves along the Tac River. In early July, the board will continue with the cultivation of 0.5ha of mangroves along the Cai River. Earlier, in 2022, the board cooperated with Nha Trang Youth Union to plant 2ha of mangroves in the Tac and Quan Truong estuaries (Phuoc Dong Commune).

According to Huynh Binh Thai, Chief of Nha Trang Bay Management Board, the mangrove cultivation contributes to regenerating mangroves in Nha Trang in an attempt to raise public awareness of environmental protection and get the community to engage in the protection of natural resources and landscape of Nha Trang Bay.

Contributing to the protection of coastal ecosystems

According to Bui Thi Thuy Lien, Chairperson of Ninh Ich Commune People’s Committee, the mangroves in the commune used to cover up to 180ha before 2000. However, much of mangrove forests has been destroyed by residents to make land for aquaculture. In 2005, a Japanese NGO implemented a project to cultivate 5ha of mangroves. After that, the locality cooperated with agencies in the province to plant additional 10ha of mangroves. Up to now, ​​mangrove forests in Ninh Ich Commune are expected to be about 40ha along Nha Phu Swamp and in aquaculture farms.

Many local people have become more aware of the values of mangroves on their livelihoods, so they have joined hands with local authorities to protect and plant mangroves. Hopefully, ​​mangrove forests will continue to be restored, creating a green shield protecting coastal villages.

Mangrove plantations help mitigate air pollution as well as supports unique ecosystems, hosting several important species of fish and crustaceans, creating sustainable livelihood for locals and boosting community tourism. Therefore, it is essential to have solutions to protect mangrove forests for sustainable development.

“In recent years, mangrove forests are increasing thanks mangrove cultivation launched by the local authority across t he province. The restoration of mangroves will contribute to the protection of the coastal ecosystem and restore the habitat of aquatic species, thus creating more income for coastal residents,” said Do Anh Thy, Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.

H.L

Translated by N.T