Mangrove forest in Tra Vinh province (Photo: VNA) To meet the targets, the province is providing funds to individuals,households and organisations responsible for growing new mangrove forests andprotecting existing forests.
Individuals, households and organisations who grow new forests on an area ofmore than 0.3ha will receive no more than 37 million VND (1,600 USD) perhectare to buy seedlings.
This is 4.5 times more than the financial assistance given previously.
Individuals and households responsible for protecting forests will begiven 500,000 VND (21 USD) per hectare a year. The money will beprovided for up to 15ha to individuals and 30ha to households.
Pham Minh Truyen, director of the province’s Department of Agriculture andRural Development, said the support policies aim to protect theenvironment and protect against the impact of high tides, risingsea levels, and erosion along the province’s 65km coastline.
These support activities have helped to create livelihoods forhouseholds, especially shrimp – forest farms, thathave provided sustainable incomes in coastal areas.
The province has more than 9,160ha of forests, mostly mangrove forests, and aforest coverage rate of 3.63 per cent, according to the department.
Of the total forest area, more than 4,000ha are planted by households inthe coastal districts of Duyen Hai, Cau Ngang, Chau Thanh, and Duyen Hai town.
The households also breed black-tiger shrimp or other aquatic speciesin the 4,000ha of mangrove forests.
The shrimp – forest farming model requires low investment cost, has a lowrisk of disease, is environmentally friendly, and is sustainablyefficient.
Households that breed shrimp or other aquatic species in mangrove forestsearn an average income of 70 million VND (3,000 USD) per hectare a year,according to the department.
Last year, the province turned nearly 3,800ha of protective forests intocommercial forests to improve incomes for households who protect andexploit forest resources.
The move was done to improve the management and protection of forests.
Theprovince has sought donations at home and abroadto grow forests and train human resources for forest managementand protection.
It has also encouraged theuse of advanced techniques, including the use of digital forest dataat all management levels.
In 2015 - 20, the province’s coastal districts of Duyen Hai, Cau Ngang, Chau Thanh,and Duyen Hai town planted a total 625ha of new forests.
The province’s People’s Committee has zoned a total area of 23,984hafor forest development./.
VNA
