Where flocks of birds return

Images of flocks of white egrets and wild birds soaring over the sea of ​​Ha Long Bay, in the forests of Nui Hua Mountain, or in the mangrove forests of Quang Yen... offer a different perspective on a green, peaceful Quang Ninh , alongside its long-standing reputation for vibrancy, hustle, and modernity.

The blue of the sky and the sea, the gray of the rocky mountains, and the white of the egrets create an impressive picture of Ha Long Bay, evoking a sense of tranquility and poetry.

A symbol of peaceful lands

The image of the stork is a symbol of ponds, swamps, and rice fields, representing the most peaceful and pristine beauty in Vietnamese culture and the minds of many generations, and serving as inspiration for numerous traditional poems and literary works. Amidst the rapid development of all aspects of modern society, with the rise of technology and urbanization, these simple and natural beautiful scenes bring peace and tranquility to those who have the chance to see them firsthand.

Tourists visiting Ha Long Bay during the April 30th - May 1st holiday are amazed and delighted to see flocks of white egrets spreading their wings over the sea in search of a place to roost.

Visitors to Ha Long Bay during the April 30th - May 1st holiday are often amazed and delighted to see flocks of white egrets soaring over the sea in search of roosting places. Large numbers of egrets fly and circle over the bay, close to the limestone cliffs, or hover near the water's surface in search of food. The blue of the sky and sea, the gray of the mountains, and the white of the egrets' wings create a stunning and uniquely poetic scene.

According to Mr. Tran Xuan Dong, Head of the Provincial Department of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Medicine, the characteristic of storks is that they appear in quiet places with clean environments and readily available food. Storks usually migrate to Ha Long Bay to search for food between March and September. The current large number of storks indicates that the bay has good aquatic resources, making it favorable for storks to find food.

Located amidst the fields of Lang Ruong village, Dai Binh commune, Dam Ha district, Nui Hua forest is home to a flock of thousands of storks.

Located in the middle of the fields of Lang Ruong village, commune In Dai Binh (Dam Ha district), the Nui Hua forest is home to thousands of storks. The entire habitat of the stork colony covers approximately 1 hectare of bamboo and eucalyptus forest. According to residents of Lang Ruong village, the storks first settled here in the late 1970s. Initially, there were only a few birds, but due to favorable climate conditions and abundant food sources, the colony has grown quite rapidly.

The main habitat of the storks is divided into three levels. The top level, with its tall trees, is where the storks perch. The middle level consists of branches and twigs where they build their nests. The bottom level consists of branches close to the ground, where young storks practice foraging and flying. The best time to observe storks here is in the summer. During this time, the storks are breeding and growing, and the area becomes more lively, especially in the early morning and late evening. For a long time now, the people of Lang Ruong village have consciously avoided driving away or hunting storks, instead striving to protect and preserve their habitat. And those white storks soaring have become an indispensable part of the peaceful life of this land.

The small, fluttering wings have become an integral part of the peaceful life in Ruong Village.

Located on the banks of the historic Bach Dang River, Quang Yen town is not only a land rich in cultural traditions, but also home to 2,671 hectares of mangrove forest. The diverse and unique flora and fauna make Quang Yen's mangrove forest a solid green "wall" protecting the coastal dykes and providing a source of seafood for the local people.

The landscape here resembles the orchards of the Southwestern Mekong Delta, with a system of canals winding through the forests. In these forests and waterways, flocks of egrets spread their wings, searching for food at the base of trees and on the water's surface. Alongside densely populated residential areas and rapidly developing transportation infrastructure, efforts to protect the expansive green space of the mangrove forests are crucial in maintaining ecological balance and preserving nature and the environment in Quang Yen.

A flock of storks spreads its wings searching for food in the mangrove forests of Quang Yen town.

Co To is an island district located at the northernmost point of Vietnam, in the eastern part of the province, comprising nearly 50 large and small islands. Although agricultural land accounts for only about 20% of the natural land area, the locality always focuses on exploiting and effectively utilizing this resource. When exploring the island's scenery, visitors are not only amazed by the picturesque beaches and precious primeval forests, but also by the lush green rice fields, reminiscent of a traditional Northern Vietnamese village.

On the beach, amidst the green rice paddies, it's easy to spot white egrets flying or landing to forage for food. Perhaps that's one of the reasons Co To is considered a "getaway" from the hustle and bustle of modern society. Tourists often feel more peaceful and calm in the face of such serene and captivating beauty.

Preserve the habitat for the birds.

In its development orientation, Quang Ninh always prioritizes environmental protection and the preservation of biodiversity resources, considering this a strategic task and an urgent requirement to ensure current and sustainable development goals in the future. The image of flocks of egrets and other birds returning to live in their natural habitats during each migration season, or staying to live in natural lands and waters, is evidence of the efforts to realize this goal.

This important task is specifically stipulated in numerous guiding and administrative documents, most notably Resolution No. 12-NQ/TU dated March 12, 2018, of the Provincial Party Committee on environmental protection in Quang Ninh province for the period 2018-2022; the plan to relocate aquaculture activities to buffer zones and auxiliary zones of conservation areas and heritage sites... And most recently, Resolution 10-NQ/TU dated September 26, 2022, of the Provincial Party Committee on strengthening the Party's leadership over resource management, environmental protection, disaster prevention and mitigation, climate change adaptation, and ensuring water security for the period 2022-2030.

The province also allocates adequate budget to maintain regular operations at nature reserves and provincial and local biodiversity conservation management units; and implements technical and legal solutions to protect ecosystems.

The image of flocks of storks soaring over the waters of Ha Long Bay is a testament to a pristine living environment.

Regarding the Ha Long Bay World Natural Heritage site, the province has consistently prioritized the management and preservation of the bay's values, including its biodiversity, allocating significant resources to conservation efforts. According to Mr. Pham Dinh Huynh, Deputy Head of the Ha Long Bay Management Board, the management, protection, and conservation of biodiversity have been actively implemented through various scientific tasks, programs, and plans for surveying and investigating the biodiversity of Ha Long Bay.

Mr. Huynh also stated that Ha Long Bay is considered a blessed land with nearly 3,000 species of plants and animals living together. Along with strict zoning and protection measures for areas with high biodiversity, focusing on rare, endemic, and precious species in the bay, the Ha Long Bay Management Board also conducts periodic monitoring of the conservation status of heritage values ​​and biodiversity, and strengthens environmental protection and biodiversity conservation efforts.

For a long time, the people of Lang Ruong village (Dai Binh commune, Dam Ha district) have been conscious of protecting and preserving the habitat for the storks in Nui Hua mountain.

Regarding wildlife protection and migratory bird conservation, Mr. Nguyen Minh Son, Director of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, stated: Every year, the Department directs its forest protection units to take the lead and coordinate with relevant agencies and local authorities to strengthen patrols and controls in key areas for the trade and consumption of wild and migratory birds; promptly detect, prevent, and strictly handle illegal hunting, trapping, slaughtering, transporting, trading, processing, and storing of wild and migratory birds; and dismantle illegal trading hubs for wild and migratory birds in the area.

Local authorities throughout the province have also persistently and intensified their efforts to educate residents about the protection of wild birds, migratory birds in particular, and wildlife in general; advising people not to hunt, trap, or capture wild birds, migratory birds, and other wild animals. The management and protection of wild and migratory birds is especially strengthened and emphasized during the bird migration season (from the beginning of September of the previous year to April of the following year).

Authorities in Mong Cai City destroyed traps used to catch wild birds.

Alongside the awareness campaigns, numerous operations were launched to detect and promptly handle violations. In 2022 alone, the province conducted 148 operations to inspect, handle, and prevent the hunting of wild birds. Participating forces included representatives from various sectors such as forestry, police, border guards, market management, veterinary services, and leaders from communes, wards, and towns. The inspection teams confiscated and destroyed over 46,000 meters of bird trapping nets, nearly 2,000 bamboo and wooden stakes, and related equipment. All cases related to the hunting of wild birds were severely punished, ensuring it no longer remains a serious problem and gradually raising environmental awareness within the community.

From the eastern to the central and western parts of the province, the green landscapes dotted with white affirm Quang Ninh's efforts in protecting and preserving the natural environment alongside the development of high-tech industries and modern services. The synergy between economic development and environmental protection is a path that Quang Ninh consistently pursues, gradually overcoming challenges to achieve sustainability in its short-term and long-term development strategies and goals.

Source: https://baoquangninh.vn/bao-ve-phuc-hoi-moi-truong-song-noi-nhung-dan-chim-tro-ve-3239244.html