Regenerating protective forests

With over 300 km of coastline, Ca Mau province possesses enormous potential for marine economic development. The coastal alluvial plains, carrying rich sediment, are gradually forming vast spaces for future development.

• Assessment of the project for creating seawalls and planting forests along the western coast.
• A good start for the reforestation movement.
• Forest seedling nursery

Along the coastal alluvial plains, in previous years, due to the impact of climate change, serious erosion frequently occurred annually in vulnerable areas. Seawater intrusion not only destroyed large areas of existing protective forests but also eroded the inland dikes, seriously affecting the lives and production of people along the eastern coastal dike.

To address this situation, in recent years, the province has taken advantage of central government support to invest in the construction of many breakwater projects in vulnerable areas. This is not only a solution to overcome erosion caused by storms and tidal surges, but also contributes to sedimentation, beach formation, and the regeneration of coastal protective forests.

Seawall construction at Nha Mat beach, Hiep Thanh ward.

For example, in Hiep Thanh ward, Ca Mau province, the alluvial plain stretching from the Nha Mat estuary to the border area has seen virtually no erosion over the past year thanks to the investment in the construction of a breakwater. The local people are extremely pleased.

Mr. Dang Van Quang, who leases forest land in Nha Mat hamlet, Hiep Thanh ward, shared: "The people here mainly live by industrial shrimp farming inside the sea dike, while outside the dike they lease forest land to both protect the forest and raise and exploit aquatic and marine products under the forest canopy. Before the breakwater was built, every rainy season was a time of anxiety because high tides and large waves always threatened to break the dike, greatly affecting production. Currently, I am raising shrimp, crabs, clams, and mussels very effectively. The land has been replenished, and the government's reforestation efforts have also been successful; wherever trees grow, the land replenishes, creating a lush green protective forest area."

To date, the locality has invested in the construction of many breakwaters in vulnerable areas prone to erosion, especially in Ganh Hao commune and Hiep Thanh ward. These breakwaters are built 150-200 meters away from the protective forest area, facing the sea. They not only reduce wave pressure and protect the forest but also create large alluvial plains.

Many coastal areas have been reclaimed, expanding the alluvial plains and allowing protective forests to flourish.

Mr. Le Chi Linh, Deputy Director of the Bac Lieu Special Protection Forest Management Board, said: "Currently, for the area being reclaimed, the Management Board proposes that the local authorities do a good job of disseminating information and mobilizing all resources to implement the socialization of forest planting and development. Specifically, supplementary planting will be implemented to create a green protective forest belt. This will contribute to the effective protection of the protective forest as well as the production and aquaculture activities of coastal people."

Mr. Dang Van Quang cultivates the forest land that was leased to him.

Nha Mat Beach Tourist Area, Hiep Thanh Ward.

Regenerating forests and fertile alluvial plains will be protected by sturdy breakwaters, creating a clean environment and helping people develop production linked to community tourism and ecotourism. In particular, the local marine economic potential will be exploited and developed.

Thanh Uyen - Thanh The

Source: https://baocamau.vn/tai-sinh-rung-phong-ho--a120749.html