(NLDO) - Dong Thap province will cooperate closely with Thai partners to soon receive the first cranes.
On December 12th, at Tram Chim National Park, Tam Nong district (Dong Thap province), the People's Committee of Dong Thap province organized a program to announce the "Project for the Conservation and Development of Red-crowned Cranes in Tram Chim National Park giai đoạn 2022 – 2032".
Mr. Pham Thien Nghia, Chairman of the People's Committee of Dong Thap province, delivered a speech at the announcement ceremony.
At this event, Mr. Pham Thien Nghia – Chairman of the People's Committee of Dong Thap province – delivered a speech calling on the community to join hands in "Bringing the cranes back".
Accordingly, Dong Thap province has long been a peaceful land, a familiar habitat for the red-crowned crane, a rare bird species in the world . In the past, there were years when thousands of cranes migrated to the Tram Chim area to live. Later, the unique wetland area of Tram Chim became the Tram Chim National Park today.
Tram Chim National Park, located in Tam Nong district, covers an area of 7,313 hectares. It is a remaining wetland ecosystem of the former Dong Thap Muoi region, boasting very high biodiversity, with 130 plant species, 130 freshwater aquatic species, and is home to 231 endemic bird species of the region.
In particular, the red-crowned crane, a rare and endangered bird, is a subject of global concern for protection. Given these values, in 2012, Tram Chim National Park was recognized as Vietnam's 4th Ramsar site and the world's 2,000th.
Due to the impacts of climate change, changes in hydrological regimes, and various other factors, the Tram Chim ecosystem has been altered, leading to the degradation of many animal and plant species. In particular, the egret community (the preferred food source of the red-crowned crane) has gradually shrunk, and the number of aquatic species has also decreased, affecting the food sources and habitat of the red-crowned crane.
Furthermore, current over-cultivation of agriculture is also partly shrinking the habitat of the red-crowned crane, leading to a gradual decrease in the crane population returning to Tram Chim National Park.
Therefore, research, collaborative transfer, breeding, and conservation of the red-crowned crane are urgent requirements due to reasons such as: the red-crowned crane is an indicator bird of a healthy environment and the restoration of natural biological values; it is a symbol of culture and spirituality in the spiritual life of the people since ancient times; every year, the return of the cranes brings good fortune to the people here, a sign of sustainable natural restoration, and the people of Tam Nong and the whole country joyfully welcome the return of the cranes.
To realize the dream of "Bringing the cranes back," Dong Thap province has developed and approved the "Project for the Conservation and Development of Red-crowned Cranes in Tram Chim National Park, giai đoạn 2022 – 2032". Recently, we have received support and cooperation from dedicated organizations and individuals both domestically and internationally to help Dong Thap province develop this project, based on sharing experiences and success stories from crane conservation programs in the Kingdom of Thailand.
It is expected that within 10 years of implementing the project, Dong Thap province will have approximately 100 cranes raised and released, with 50 capable of living in their natural environment. The Red-crowned Crane Project will help people and visitors from near and far, when coming to Dong Thap, to observe and learn about the living environment and growth characteristics of the Red-crowned Crane, so that people will appreciate this bird even more.
To date, the project has implemented several specific steps, including: signing a memorandum of cooperation between the parties and signing an agreement on activities with a Thai partner; implementing several ecosystem restoration programs in Tram Chim National Park; implementing an ecological rice farming model aimed at organic agriculture around the buffer zone; building facilities and enclosures for crane breeding and carrying out communication activities; and providing technical training for caretakers.
Initial results show that in 2024, the ecosystem gradually recovered to its true nature and characteristics as a natural wetland ecosystem. Many bird species came to inhabit the area in large numbers, and important plant species such as sedge and wild rice also began to recover, creating a rich habitat and food source for the red-crowned crane.
In the coming period, we will continue to promote widespread public awareness campaigns about the purpose and significance of protecting the ecological environment and conserving the Red-crowned Crane. Every citizen must take responsibility and work together to foster a culture of respecting nature, cherishing and viewing the Red-crowned Crane as friends, and contributing to creating a good living environment for this species of bird.
Following the announcement of the project, Dong Thap province will cooperate closely with its Thai partners to promptly complete the necessary documents and procedures and proceed with receiving the first cranes according to the signed agreement.
To achieve the objectives of the Project, in addition to the efforts of the directly involved agencies, units, and individuals, Dong Thap province urgently needs the joint efforts and cooperation of organizations, businesses, scientists, and partners both domestically and internationally, including very important partners from Thailand.
"I sincerely call upon all delegates present today, as well as domestic and international businesses, to join hands and work together with Dong Thap province to successfully achieve the goal of restoring and preserving the red-crowned crane population, not only for Dong Thap province and Vietnam, but also to preserve this rare species for future generations."
"With the determination and readiness of Dong Thap province, and the joint efforts and dedication of all the authorities and people of Dong Thap province, I am confident that we will definitely achieve the goal of bringing the cranes back," Mr. Pham Thien Nghia urged.
Source: https://nld.com.vn/chu-tich-ubnd-tinh-dong-thap-keu-goi-cung-nhau-dua-dan-seu-tro-ve-196241212143645555.htm
Comment (0)