Mangrove forests – the “backyard” of the coastal communes of Dien Chau.
Reforestation is an effective solution to mitigate the negative impacts of climate change. With the support of a reforestation project funded by the Japanese Red Cross, mangrove forests in the coastal communes of Dien Chau have been planted and are proving quite effective in protecting against waves, limiting sea level rise, and safeguarding agricultural production and the lives of the people.
(Baonghean)Reforestation is an effective solution to mitigate the negative impacts of climate change. With the support of a reforestation project funded by the Japanese Red Cross, mangrove forests in the coastal communes of Dien Chau have been planted and are proving quite effective in protecting against waves, limiting sea level rise, and safeguarding agricultural production and the lives of the people.
The "mangrove reforestation - risk reduction" project, funded by the Japan Red Cross Society through the Vietnam Red Cross Society, has been implemented in our province since 1997. In 2012, the project continued to plant over 410 hectares with a total project support of over 720 million VND, of which Dien Chau district accounted for nearly 500 hectares.
Visiting the communes of Dien Kim and Dien Van (Dien Chau district), one sees lush, verdant mangrove forests. The abundant alluvial soil has allowed the mangroves to grow rapidly. According to Mr. Thach Dinh Nghia, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Dien Bich commune, the historic storm of 1982 caused a massive sea level rise, resulting in persistent flooding. This was followed by storms of level 11 and 12 in 1987 and 1989, plunging the lives of the people into constant flooding. The rising sea level and strong waves caused severe erosion and subsidence of the dike. Crops, trees, and non-agricultural land were submerged by saltwater. It took three years after the storms and floods for production to recover. The two communes of Dien Kim and Dien Van have eight hamlets with over 1,300 households living close to the dike. During the heavy rainy season, high tides cause river water to flood the villages, destroying the people's crops.
But things are completely different now. The Japanese-funded mangrove reforestation project, implemented since 1997 in Dien Chau, has proven effective. Mr. Nguyen Phung Vinh, Vice Chairman of the Provincial Red Cross Society, said: "Given the reality that the coastal area of Dien Chau is frequently affected by storms, floods, and coastal erosion, the Provincial Red Cross Society has implemented mangrove reforestation and provided support of 1.2 million VND/hectare, including the cost of seedlings, protection, and care. The area planted is nearly 500 hectares, including: Dien Bich (80 ha), Dien Van (60 ha), Dien Kim (120 ha), and a small area in Dien Ngoc, Dien Thinh, etc."
Mangrove forest in Dien Kim commune (Dien Chau district). Photo: Tran Canh Yen
In 2011, the Dien Chau sea dike was built solidly and securely. The lives of the people have stabilized thanks to the protection provided by the forest and the dike. Ms. Ho Thi Hue's family, from Tien Tien 1 hamlet, Dien Kim, located just a few hundred meters from the Lach Van sea dike, happily shared: “For the past five years, thanks to the mangrove forest, the seawater hasn't flooded the village like before. Now, my family can confidently cultivate mulberry trees and raise silkworms, grow three corn crops a year, and raise chickens, pigs, and ducks in our garden.”
According to scientific analysis, the nutrient cycle of fallen debris in mangrove forests is a closed loop. Crabs and other crustaceans directly feed on the fallen debris. Fungi and microorganisms at the base of the mangrove decompose the debris, creating a food source for fish and shrimp to consume directly, and also providing food for small crustaceans, which in turn feed fish in the river. Finally, over 80% of the fallen debris returns to provide nutrients for the root system and the growth of mangrove trees.
Mr. Nguyen Xuan Thuy, Chairman of the People's Committee of Dien Kim commune, shared: "The mangrove forest is developing rapidly and well, suitable to the local soil conditions. The tree roots are dense and firmly embedded in the soil, allowing for rapid growth. Since the forest was established, people along the dike no longer need to plant bamboo or other similar materials as before. The forest also serves as a habitat and shelter for various bird species. Every year, from August and September throughout the winter, migratory birds, especially egrets, come to the area, creating a diverse and biodiverse landscape. The mangrove forest also contains valuable aquatic and marine resources such as crabs (both meat and juvenile), shrimp, and fish from the river. This is also a source of income, contributing to improving the lives of the local people."
Ms. Ngo Thi Duom from Tien Tien 1 hamlet, Dien Kim commune, recounted: "Everyone in this area has boats and nets to catch crabs, shrimp, and prawns. For about three consecutive months each year, people in this area go searching for juvenile crabs. Juvenile crabs are considered a source of income for people living along the mangrove forests. Each night, they catch hundreds of juvenile crabs, selling them for 300 dong each, or 1,000 dong each during slow periods. Taking advantage of the time to catch juvenile crabs can easily bring in 300,000-400,000 dong per night. Farmers in Dien Kim, Dien Bich, and Dien Van communes can earn hundreds of millions of dong per year from this profession of harvesting and selling juvenile crabs."
Besides the potential for crab breeding, farmers living around the mangrove forest also exploit freshwater shrimp and various types of fish in the river. After each flood, the food source at the foot of the mangrove forest becomes more abundant, creating opportunities for shrimp and fish to thrive and develop. In the two hamlets of Hai Bac and Quyet Thang in Dien Bich commune, there are currently 6-7 households specializing in making traps and nets to catch shrimp, crabs, and fish in the Lach River. Mr. Le Van Nam from Hai Bac hamlet said: "Since the mangrove forest was established, there are many types of fish and freshwater shrimp in the river. Our family catches and sells freshwater shrimp at 60-70 thousand VND/kg. If we actively catch about 3-4 kg a day, we earn over 200 thousand VND. Fish from the mangrove forest are firm, delicious, and popular in the market."
The mangrove forests in Dien Chau truly offer numerous benefits and should be replicated in many other coastal localities.
Luong Mai
