Along the national road 1A, shrimp farms in the two communes of Ninh Loc and Ninh Ich (Ninh Hoa Town) are seen covered by lush mangroves...
Along the national road 1A, shrimp farms in the two communes of Ninh Loc and Ninh Ich (Ninh Hoa Town) are seen covered by lush mangroves.
Dam Phuong, Head of Tan Dao Village, Ninh Ich Commune says, “The thick mangrove carpet is thanks to better local residents’ awareness. Mangrove destruction has been replaced by restoration. I have come to all families to tell them about mangrove benefits.”
 |
| Going fishing beneath mangrove shade. |
Restored mangrove forests have developed well providing a good habitat for sea creatures. Nha Phu Swamp had used to have 200 ha of mangroves before 1995. However, mangroves were destroyed for industrial shrimp farming and reduced to 30ha.
According Dang Cuu, Chief of Ninh Hoa Town Bureau of Natural Resources & Environment, mangrove forests in the communes of Ninh Ich, Ninh Loc, Ninh Ha and Ninh Phu have developed well. Every year, the local People’s Committee has plans on cultivation of mangroves which will surely bring huge economic values.
In 2006, Ninh Ich Commune was sponsored by Tokyo Marine Minchido in association with Hanoi University of Pedagogy to restore 5ha of mangroves. In the same time, Ninh Ich Commune People’s Committee mobilized residents to grow additional 10ha. Since then, mangrove forest restoration models have been developed in Ninh Ich and Ninh Loc by local residents.
Tran Danh, Head of Tan Thuy Village, Ninh Loc Commune says mangrove restoration is essential to assist the recovery of resilience and adaptive capacity of ecosystems. Pham Thi Bich Hang (Ninh Ich Commune) happily says, “We have no longer destroyed mangroves for shrimp farming. Mangrove forests have become our livelihood.”
Mangrove revival has diversified livelihoods. Mangroves have supported unique ecosystems. The mesh of mangrove roots have produced a quiet marine region for many young organisms, including various species of fish and crustaceans.
Thanks to mangrove forests, hundreds of households in Ninh Loc and Ninh Ich have improved their lives by catching oysters, shellfish, etc.
Phan Thi Thi, Deputy Chairwoman of Ninh Ich Commune People’s Committee says Ninh Ich has had nearly 30ha of mangrove forest, which is expected to reach additional 30ha by 2020 contributing to environmental protection. Local residents have become aware of the mangrove benefits.
Mangrove forests have brought great benefits. The important thing is to exploit their economic resource in a sustainable way.
N.T
