Society

25 hectares of Net Zero Ca Mau forest regenerated from miraculous vitality

PV • DNUM_BJZAGZCACE 20:23

In less than 10 months since its implementation, the ecosystem where Vinamilk’s Net Zero forest is protected in Mui Ca Mau National Park has miraculously regenerated. Inside the 25-hectare forest protection fence, more than 71,000 young mangrove trees are 40-50cm tall, becoming a breeding ground for shrimp and fish, attracting flocks of terns, terns, etc. to return and nest.

Located deep in the core area of Mui Ca Mau National Park, the Vinamilk Net Zero forest, which Vinamilk cooperates with Gaia Nature Conservation Center, Mui Ca Mau National Park, will be deployed to promote regeneration from August 2023. The project covers an area of 25 hectares, with the goal of regenerating 100,000-250,000 trees in 6 years (2023-2029).

Less than 9 months since the fence was erected, the forest has welcomed its first 71,000 “residents”. These are black mangrove trees that sprouted from the seeds of “mother” mangrove trees that fell last August. With a unique lung root system – growing upside down, mangrove trees are like brave “soldiers”, helping to stabilize muddy soil, creating conditions for other tree species such as mangrove, mulberry, and parrot… to encroach on the sea. Each year, the alluvial land can encroach nearly 100m into the sea.

To date, more than 71,000 young mangrove trees have grown, 40-50cm tall. Mr. Nguyen Van Su, Head of the Department of Science, Technology and International Cooperation of Mui Ca Mau National Park, said that the density of regenerated mangrove trees in Vinamilk's Net Zero forest is quite high. "With the current growth rate, we believe that the 25 hectares of forest regenerated in cooperation with Vinamilk will soon be covered in green, faster than the original target," he said.

From afar, the Vinamilk Net Zero forest area can be easily recognized by the flocks of swallows, ibises, etc., flying around, making the whole area bustling. Based on her many years of experience in protecting mangrove forests, Ms. Huyen Do - Founder and Director of Gaia Nature Conservation Center said that this is a very happy sign. Because the flocks of birds and storks returning show that the forest vegetation and ecosystem are developing well.

Thanks to the protection, countless aquatic and marine species have come to Vinamilk Net Zero forest to reproduce. On the alluvial ground, there are mudskippers, star gobies, crabs, three-sided crabs, snails... looking for food.

What is special is that around the tall mangrove trees, there are countless white mangrove seeds sprouting. According to Ms. Huyen Do - Founder and CEO of Gaia - this is quite strange, when the season of mangrove seeds shedding and regenerating in Mui Ca Mau National Park is usually around August - October every year.

ANH 7A — “This is a very encouraging sign, as the white mangrove seeds that fell around May have also survived and germinated. After many years of promoting mangrove regeneration, we have rarely seen so many mangrove seeds germinate in May,” said Ms. Huyen.

ANH 8B — The area that is currently a vacant lot will gradually be filled with green mangrove trees in a few years, contributing to the expansion of mangrove forests, encroachment on the sea, and land preservation.

Every year, Vinamilk, Gaia and Mui Ca Mau National Park will jointly carry out tasks such as reinforcing the fence, closely monitoring the growth of trees, preventing risks such as diseases, adverse weather, etc. to ensure that the regeneration of the forest achieves the set goal after 6 years.

With the ability to absorb carbon 4-10 times more effectively than terrestrial forests, Vinamilk's Net Zero forest is deployed with the goal of building a "sink" with a capacity of 17,000-20,000 tons of carbon, equivalent to 62,000-73,000 tons of CO2e. This is one of Vinamilk's specific actions towards the goal of achieving Net Zero by 2050./.