Bac Lieu: Over 2,000 mangrove trees planted against coastal erosion

Over 2,000 mangrove trees were planted in Nha Mat coastal area, Bac Lieu city in the Mekong Delta province of Bac Lieu on May 31, aiming to prevent coastal landslides and limit salinity intrusion and impacts of climate change.

Bac Lieu authorities and leaders from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment join delegates in planting mangroves against coastal landslides, Bac Lieu, May 31, 2019. (Photo: baotainguyenmoitruong.vn)
Bac Lieu authorities and leaders from the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment join delegates in planting mangroves against coastal landslides, Bac Lieu, May 31, 2019. (Photo: baotainguyenmoitruong.vn)

>>> Various environmental activities to be held during Vietnam Seas and Island Week 2019

The planting, held by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MoNRE) and Bac Lieu authorities, are part of activities that open the Vietnam Seas and Island Week 2019, scheduled to be launched in Bac Lieu early next month in response to the National Action Month on Environmental Protection, World Oceans Day (June 8) and World Environment Day (June 5).

At the launch for plantation of coastal protective forests in Nha Mat ward this morning, leaders from the MoNRE and Bac Lieu joined the local related forces to plant 2,000 Avicennia trees on the mudflats outside the sea dike system in Nha Mat.

Speaking at the event, Vo Tuan Nhan, Deputy Minister of MoNRE, said that in addition to biodiversity values, mangroves also play an important role in regulating climate, limiting storms and ties, as well as acting as a shield to protect dykes, prevent erosion and saline intrusion and to be a biosphere reserve.

Over 2,000 Avicennia trees planted down the mudflats outside the sea dike system in Nha Mat ward, Bac Lieu city, may 31, aimed at preventing coastal erosion and limiting salinity intrusion. (Photo: baotainguyenmoitruong.vn)

The coastal afforestation aims to spread the forest regeneration movement in coping with climate change and ensuring livelihoods for coastal locals in Bac Lieu and other provinces and cities along the coast, Nhan said, adding that it would also help convey the message on “Protecting the mangrove forest as the most sustainable preservation" to the community to call on joint efforts to protect mangrove forests.

Bac Lieu has over 56km of coastline. Recently, due to the impacts of climate change, tidal influences have negatively affected several important dike systems. The regeneration of protective forests in the sea dyke alluvial areas are considered a "soft" sustainable solution for long-term and effective response to climate change.

Bac Lieu provincial Forest Protection Department currently manages and develops a total area of 7,500ha of coastal protection forests.