Chairman of Dong Thap Provincial People's Committee calls for "Bringing the cranes back" together

On December 12, at Tram Chim National Park, Tam Nong district (province) Dong Thap), Dong Thap Provincial People's Committee organized the Program to announce the "Project for Conservation and Development of Red-crowned Cranes in Tram Chim National Park for the period 2022 - 2032".

At this event, Mr. Pham Thien Nghia - Chairman of Dong Thap Provincial People's Committee - gave a speech calling on the community to join hands to "Bring the cranes back"

Accordingly, Dong Thap province has long been a peaceful land, a familiar habitat of red-crowned cranes, a rare bird species in the world. world. In the past, there were years when thousands of cranes migrated to Tram Chim land to live. Later, the typical wetland area of ​​Tram Chim became Tram Chim National Park today.

Tram Chim National Park is located in Tam Nong district, with an area of ​​7.313 hectares, is a remaining wetland ecosystem of the ancient Dong Thap Muoi, has very high biodiversity, with 130 species of flora, 130 species of freshwater aquatic products, and is home to 231 species of birds endemic to the region.

In particular, the red-crowned crane is a rare bird species that is in danger of extinction and is of global concern for protection. With such values, in 2012, Tram Chim National Park was recognized as the 4th Ramsar site in Vietnam and the 2.000th in the world.

Due to the impact of climate change, changes in hydrological regime and multi-cause impacts, the Tram Chim ecosystem has changed, many animal and plant species have degraded, including the community of cycads (the favorite food of red-crowned cranes) has gradually narrowed, the composition of aquatic species has also decreased in quantity, affecting the food source and habitat of red-crowned cranes.

In addition, farming Agriculture The current excessive exploitation has also partly narrowed the habitat of red-crowned cranes, leading to a gradual decrease in the crane population in Tram Chim.

Therefore, research, cooperation in transferring, raising and conserving red-crowned cranes is an urgent requirement due to reasons such as: Red-crowned cranes are birds that indicate a clean environment, the restoration of natural biological values; are cultural and spiritual symbols in the spiritual life of people since ancient times; every year, when the cranes return, the people here seem to receive good luck, an indicator of sustainable natural recovery, all people in Tam Nong and the whole country happily 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 Conservation and Development of Red-crowned Cranes in Tram Chim National Park for the period 2022 – 2032”. Recently, we have received the support and cooperation of dedicated organizations and individuals at home and abroad to support Dong Thap province in developing the Project based on sharing experiences and success stories from the Crane Conservation Program in the Kingdom of Thailand.

It is expected that in 10 years of implementing the Project, Dong Thap province will have about 100 cranes raised and released, and 50 individuals will be able to live in the natural environment. The Red-crowned Crane Project will help people and friends 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 love this bird species even more.

To date, the Project has implemented a number of specific steps, including: Signing a memorandum of understanding on cooperation between the parties and signing a memorandum of understanding on activities with Thai partners; implementing a number of ecosystem restoration programs in Tram Chim National Park; implementing an ecological rice farming model towards organic agriculture around the buffer zone; building facilities for raising cranes and implementing communication activities; providing technical training for caretakers.

Initial results were recorded, in 2024, the ecosystem gradually recovered according to the true nature and characteristics of a natural wetland ecosystem, many bird species came to roost in large numbers, important plant species such as nang kim and ma rice also began to recover, creating a habitat and rich food source for red-crowned cranes.

In the coming time, we will continue to promote widespread propaganda activities to the people about the purpose and meaning of protecting the ecological environment and conserving Red-crowned Cranes. Every person must have the responsibility to join hands in implementing this, forming a culture of respecting nature, loving and considering Red-crowned Cranes as friends, contributing to creating a good living environment for cranes.

After the announcement of the Project, Dong Thap province will closely cooperate with Thai partners to soon complete the necessary documents and procedures and receive the first cranes according to the signed agreement.

To achieve good results for the Project's objectives, in addition to the efforts of directly related agencies, units and individuals, Dong Thap province really needs the joint efforts and support of domestic and foreign organizations, businesses, scientists and accompanying units, including very important partners from Thailand.