The function in Thuy
Xuan commune of Thai Thuy district attracted central and local
officials, representatives of international organisations, and residents
from thirteen coastal communes in Thai Binh.
The World Wetlands Day (February 2) marks the adoption of the
Convention on Wetlands of International Importance, also called the
Ramsar Convention, in 1971. Vietnam officially became a party to this
convention in 1989 and was also the first Southeast Asian nation to
commit to conserving and sustainably developing wetlands.
Addressing the ceremony, MoNRE Minister Tran Hong Ha said wetlands
have many important functions, such as helping to reduce flooding,
prevent waves, storms and erosion and maintain biodiversity.
Vietnam is home to more than 10 million hectares of wetlands which
account for some 30 percent of its mainland area. About one fifth of the
country’s population are living in wetland areas and directly depend on
wetlands to earn their living.
However, wetlands in Vietnam are under threat from economic
activities, especially agriculture, aquaculture and industry. The
overexploitation of natural resources and environmental pollution has
occurred, he noted.
The minister called on authorities and sectors at all levels, as well
as each person, to step up propaganda activities to raise public
awareness. The country needs to build and carry out sustainable wetland
conservation and development models that concurrently encourage the
involvement of and ensure the interests of local communities, he said.
The official said wetland conservation and exploitation activities
should be combined with socio-economic development plans to minimise
negative impacts on nature.
Following the ceremony, participants planted trees in alluvial soil in Thai Thuy.
On December 2, 2014, UNESCO recognised the Red River Delta Biosphere
Reserve, which covers the wetlands in the south of the northern coastal
region in the Red River Deta provinces of Thai Binh, Nam Dinh and Ninh
Binh.
In a decision by the Prime Minister in 2014, the coastal river mouth
area in Thai Thuy district is also slated to become a wetland nature
reserve.
Leave your comment on this story