On June 27th, information from the Department of Agriculture and Environment (NN&MT) of Ca Mau province indicated that the unit had requested the Provincial People's Committee to consider approving the policy for U Minh Ha National Park to cooperate with the Ho Chi Minh City University of Agriculture and Forestry to conduct scientific research in the park.
The planned research content includes: surveying the current status of the Melaleuca forest ecosystem on peatland; collecting data on soil, water, and microorganisms; assessing ecosystem health; and proposing restoration solutions based on native biodiversity resources.
The research is expected to be conducted over a period of 12 months (2026-2027) at U Minh Ha National Park.
A section of forest in U Minh Ha National Park is degrading (Photo: CTV).
According to the Department of Agriculture and Environment of Ca Mau province, a summary of opinions from departments and agencies shows that the units basically agree on the necessity and policy of coordinating scientific research in the U Minh Ha National Park.
The Department of Science and Technology of Ca Mau province believes that the proposed research cooperation is necessary and appropriate given the current signs of degradation in the forest ecosystem of U Minh Ha National Park; the research directions have scientific significance and provide practical support for forest resource management and conservation.
The Department of Agriculture and Environment of Ca Mau province also believes that the research activities have a scientific basis and are consistent with the current practical management requirements at U Minh Ha National Park.
"The research results are expected to add to the scientific basis for monitoring and evaluating ecosystem changes, identifying early risks of degradation, and proposing solutions for managing and restoring melaleuca forest ecosystems in a sustainable manner," according to the Department of Agriculture and Environment.
The Department of Agriculture and Environment of Ca Mau province proposed that the Provincial People's Committee assign U Minh Ha National Park to take the lead and coordinate with the Ho Chi Minh City University of Agriculture and Forestry to carry out related activities, as a basis for the research group to complete the dossier to submit to the Department of Nature Conservation and Biodiversity, and other relevant agencies as prescribed.
If approved by the competent authority, the lead unit will ensure that the research is implemented in accordance with the regulations on the management of special-use forests, the conservation objectives of the National Park, and relevant legal provisions.
As Dan Tri newspaper reported, preliminary statistics from U Minh Ha National Park show that more than 392 hectares of forest are degraded, and about 467 hectares also show signs of degradation.
Most of the aforementioned degraded forest areas are located within strictly protected zones and ecological restoration zones (natural forests); mainly poor forest areas with standing timber volume ranging from 10 m3/ha to 50 m3/ha.
Many forest trees show signs of falling and degradation (Photo: CTV).
Initial assessments (without official conclusions from scientists or research units) suggest several causes of forest degradation in this area, including: Trees are now past their mature age, with many old trees dying; the impact of external conditions, especially climate change, along with the growth of many climbing plants that cover the entire tree, causing it to become unstable and gradually fall.
Furthermore, prolonged waterlogging of forest trees constantly keeps them submerged, weakening the soil's cohesion and causing the peat layer to erode. Since the roots can only anchor themselves in the peat layer, the trees are more prone to falling than in other areas.
U Minh Ha National Park is one of the few wetland conservation areas in the Mekong Delta; it is recognized by UNESCO as the core area of the Ca Mau Cape World Biosphere Reserve.
The garden's most striking feature is its mangrove forest ecosystem, formed under conditions of waterlogging and acidic soil on peatland; it is home to many scientifically valuable and rare animal species, along with many other common species.
Source: https://dantri.com.vn/thoi-su/no-luc-cuu-rung-u-minh-ha-20260627142208667.htm
