Mangrove forests - the "backyard" of coastal communes in Dien Chau

(Baonghean) -Afforestation is an effective solution to limit the negative impacts of climate change. With the support of the afforestation project sponsored by the Japanese Red Cross Society, mangrove forests in the coastal communes of Dien Chau have been planted and are showing quite good results in blocking waves, limiting sea level rise, protecting production and people's lives.

The project “Mangrove planting - risk reduction” funded by the Japanese Red Cross Society through the Central Committee of 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 capital of over 720 million VND, of which Dien Chau has nearly 500 hectares.

Coming to Dien Kim and Dien Van communes (Dien Chau), we can see rich green mangrove forests. With a lot of alluvium, the mangrove forests grow faster. According to Mr. Thach Dinh Nghia - Vice Chairman of Dien Bich Commune People's Committee, in 1982, a historic storm caused the sea level to rise, causing continuous flooding. Then came level 11 and 12 storms in 1987 and 1989, causing people's lives to be submerged in floods. Rising sea levels and strong waves caused the dike to collapse and erode seriously. Crops, trees and non-agricultural land were flooded with salt. It took 3 years after the storm and flood for production to be consolidated. Dien Kim and Dien Van communes have up to 8 hamlets with over 1,300 households living close to the dike. Every rainy season, high tides cause river water to flood into the villages, destroying people's crops.

But now it is completely different. The Japanese-funded mangrove planting project has been implemented since 1997 in Dien Chau and has been effective. Mr. Nguyen Phung Vinh - Vice Chairman of the Provincial Red Cross Association said: Given the fact that the coastal area of ​​Dien Chau is often affected by storms, floods, and the sea encroaching on the mainland, the Provincial Red Cross Association has implemented mangrove planting and has a support mechanism of 1.2 million VND/ha including the cost of seeds, protection and care. The area is nearly 500 ha, including: Dien Bich 80 ha, Dien Van 60 ha, Dien Kim 120 ha, a small area in Dien Ngoc, Dien Thinh ...

Mangrove forest in Dien Kim commune (Dien Chau). Photo: Tran Canh Yen

In 2011, the Dien Chau sea dike was built solidly and firmly. People's lives have stabilized thanks to the protection of the forest and the dike. The family of Ms. Ho Thi Hue, Tien Tien 1 hamlet - Dien Kim, located just a few hundred meters from the Lach Van sea dike, happily said: "For the past 5 years, thanks to the mangrove forest, the sea water has not flooded the village like before. Now, my family is confident in growing mulberry and raising silkworms, growing 3 corn crops a year, and raising chickens, pigs, and ducks in the garden."

According to the analysis of scientific researchers, the nutritional transformation cycle of fallen material in mangrove forests is a closed cycle. Crabs and crabs use food directly from fallen material. Fungi and microorganisms at the foot of the forest decompose fallen material to create a food source for fish and shrimp to consume directly, while also creating food for small crustaceans that feed on fish in the river. Finally, over 80% of fallen material returns to provide nutrients for the root system and the growth of mangrove trees.

Mr. Nguyen Xuan Thuy - Chairman of Dien Kim Commune People's Committee, discussed: Mangrove forests grow quickly and well, suitable for local soil conditions. The tree roots are dense and firmly rooted in the ground, so the trees grow quickly. Since the forest was established, people living along the dike have stopped planting bamboo and bamboo as before. The forest is also a habitat and shelter for birds. Every year, from August to September until the end of winter, it is also the time when migratory birds come, especially storks, to take refuge regularly, creating a biodiversity forest landscape. Mangrove forests also contain valuable aquatic and seafood resources such as crab meat, crab seeds, shrimp, fish... on the river. This is also a source of income, contributing to improving the lives of people here.

Ms. Ngo Thi Duom - Tien Tien 1 hamlet, Dien Kim, said: Everyone in this area has a boat and a net to catch crabs, shrimps and prawns. Every year, for about 3 consecutive months, people in this area go out to catch crab seeds. Crabs are considered a source of income for people living along the foot of the mangrove forests. Every night, hundreds of crabs are caught, each selling for 300 VND, when there is little stock, the price is 1,000 VND/crab. Taking advantage of the time to catch crab seeds to earn an income of 300-400,000 VND/night is a common thing. Farmers in Dien Kim, Dien Bich, Dien Van can earn hundreds of millions of VND/year from the profession of catching and selling crab seeds.

In addition to the potential of crab breeds, farmers living around the mangrove forest also exploit freshwater shrimp and fish in the river. After each flood, the food source at the foot of the mangrove forest becomes more abundant, this is an opportunity for shrimp and fish to reproduce and develop. In the two hamlets of Hai Bac and Quyet Thang - Dien Bich commune, there are currently 6-7 households specializing in making fishing nets to exploit shrimp, crabs and fish in Lach river. Mr. Le Van Nam - Hai Bac hamlet, said: Since the mangrove forest was established, there have been many types of fish and freshwater shrimp in the river. Our family exploits and sells freshwater shrimp at 60-70 thousand VND/kg, every day we actively catch about 3-4 kg to have over 200 thousand VND. Fish in the mangrove forest are firm, delicious and favored by the market.

Mangrove forests in Dien Chau really create multi-faceted benefits that need to be replicated in many other coastal localities.

Luong Mai