Vietnam stresses wetlands’ role in disaster risk reduction
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MoNRE) responded to the World Wetlands Day with a ceremony in northern Thai Binh province on February 5, stressing the role of wetlands in disaster risk reduction.
People plant trees in a coastal alluvial ground of Thai Thuy following the ceremony responding to the World Wetlands Day (Photo: VNA)
Thai Binh (VNA) – The Ministry of NaturalResources and Environment (MoNRE) responded to the World Wetlands Day with aceremony in northern Thai Binh province on February 5, stressing the role ofwetlands in disaster risk reduction.
The function in Thuy Xuan commune of Thai Thuydistrict attracted central and local officials, representatives ofinternational organisations, and residents from 13 coastal communes of Thai Binh.
The World Wetlands Day (February 2) marks theadoption of the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance, also calledthe Ramsar Convention, in 1971. Vietnam officially became a member of thisconvention in 1989 and was also the first Southeast Asian nation to commit toconserving and sustainably developing wetlands.
Addressing the ceremony, MoNRE Minister TranHong Ha said wetlands have many important functions such as helping to reduceflood, prevent wave, storm and erosion, and maintain biodiversity.
Vietnam is home to more than 10 million hectareof wetlands which account for some 30 percent of its mainland area. Aboutone-fifth of the country’s population are living in wetland areas and directlydepend on wetlands to earn their living.
However, wetlands in Vietnam are under threatfrom economic activities, especially agriculture, aquaculture and industry. Theoverexploitation of natural resources and environmental pollution has occurred,he noted.
The minister called on authorities and sectorsat all levels, as well as each person, to step up communication activities toraise public awareness. The country needs to build and carry out sustainablewetland conservation and development models that concurrently encourage theinvolvement of and ensure the interests of local communities, he said.
The official said wetland conservation andexploitation activities should be combined with socio-economic developmentplans to minimise negative impacts on nature.
Following the ceremony, participants plantedtrees in an alluvial ground of Thai Thuy.
On December 2, 2014, UNESCO recognised the RedRiver Delta Biosphere Reserve, which covers the wetlands in the south of thenorthern coastal region in the Red River Deta provinces of Thai Binh, Nam Dinh andNinh Binh.
In a Prime Minister decision in 2014, thecoastal river mouth area in Thai Thuy district is also slated to become awetland nature reserve.-VNA
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People plant trees in a coastal alluvial ground of Thai Thuy following the ceremony responding to the World Wetlands Day (Photo: VNA) 
