Working together to protect and effectively use wetlands

World Wetlands Day (February 2, 2025) was launched by the Ramsar Convention Secretariat with the theme “Protecting Wetlands for Our Common Future”. This is also the theme of the 15th Conference of the Ramsar Convention (COP15) in 2025, emphasizing the collective efforts of communities to protect wetland ecosystems, aiming for a world where everyone continues to benefit from the life-sustaining services that wetlands provide.

People in Bac Phuoc islet, Trieu Phuoc commune, Trieu Phong district, exploit and utilize the wetland area to bring about economic benefits - Photo: NHON BON

In response to World Wetlands Day 2025, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment has directed ministries, sectors, and localities to strengthen communication efforts to raise awareness of the value and importance of wetlands to human and natural life, and the threats affecting wetland ecosystems. Content on wetland protection and sustainable use is being integrated into educational programs, while calling on all citizens to commit to protecting and sustainably using wetlands, and strengthening management and restoration of degraded wetland ecosystems.

In accordance with Official Letter No. 559/BTNMT-BTĐD dated January 23, 2025, from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, and Official Letter No. 214/VP-KT dated February 4, 2025, from the Office of the Provincial People's Committee regarding the observance of World Wetlands Day 2025, the Department of Natural Resources and Environment requests provincial departments, agencies, and the People's Committees of districts, towns, and cities to strengthen communication, education, and awareness-raising efforts on the value and importance of the province's wetlands, especially important wetlands that have been planned and managed such as the Con Co Island Marine Reserve, the Vinh Thai-Kim Thach coastal reef area, and other important wetlands such as Thuy U pond, Tra Loc swamp, and the mangrove forests along the Thach Han River...

Integrate content on wetland protection and sustainable use into educational and awareness programs of agencies, units, and localities. Call on officials, civil servants, workers, and citizens to commit to protecting and sustainably using wetlands, strengthening management, and restoring degraded wetland ecosystems. Implement regulations on wetland conservation and sustainable use.

Effectively implement the National Action Plan on Conservation and Sustainable Use of Wetlands for the period 2021-2030, as stipulated in Decision No. 1975/QD-TTg dated November 24, 2021, of the Prime Minister. Integrate content on protecting the value of wetlands, managing, restoring, and sustainably using wetlands into programs, plans, projects, tasks, and research topics of sectors and localities.

Promote nature-based and community-based solutions for protecting wetland ecosystems. Replicate effective wetland use models, especially those in key wetland areas. Promote initiatives for environmental protection, nature conservation, biodiversity preservation, and climate change adaptation and mitigation measures for wetlands. Develop and operate a database system and mechanisms for sharing, exchanging, and managing information on wetlands.

Strengthen the monitoring of the implementation of laws on the protection and sustainable use of wetlands. Mobilize and diversify resources. Enhance the capacity of staff; strengthen international cooperation and promote community participation to support and improve the effectiveness of wetland management and conservation in the province.

In accordance with the criteria stipulated in Article 8 of Government Decree No. 66/2019/ND-CP dated July 29, 2019, on the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands, Quang Tri province has proposed a list of important wetlands including: The important wetland area is the Con Co Island Marine Reserve, which has been planned and managed with an area of ​​4,532 hectares, with wetland types including seagrass beds, coral reefs, rocky coastal areas, and offshore cliff areas.

These areas meet important wetland criteria such as coastal and island wetland types, black coral, red coral, branch coral, plate coral, and marine crabs. Based on preliminary assessments, Quang Tri province has three wetland areas that meet the criteria for important wetlands for the locality: Thuy U pond, Tra Loc swamp, and the mangrove forest along the Thach Han River.

Through this, we can rationally and economically utilize natural resources, implement models for the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity, and link this with poverty alleviation and rural development.

Tan Nguyen

Source: https://baoquangtri.vn/cung-hanh-dong-de-bao-ve-su-dung-hieu-qua-vung-dat-ngap-nuoc-191963.htm