Handover of more than 15,000 seedlings for forest restoration

The Center for Social Research and Development (CSRD, a non-governmental organization based in Hue City) has just handed over 5,000 seedlings, including Madhuca pasquieri, Erythrophleum fordii, and Hopea odorata, to Huong Phong Commune (A Luoi District); and 10,120 mangrove seedlings, including mangrove apple and nipa palm, to Phu Hai and Phu Gia Communes (Phu Vang District, Hue City). This initiative aims to enrich native forests and establish dispersed mangrove plantations in aquaculture ponds and vulnerable areas of the Tam Giang Lagoon.

In the spirit of the "Green Sunday" movement and in support of the "One Billion Trees Planting Program 2021-2025" under Directive No. 45/CP-TTg of the Prime Minister, the tree-planting activities have attracted enthusiastic participation from government agencies, mass organizations, the Women's Union, schools, and local community groups in the three beneficiary communes.

This activity is part of the project "Dispersed Mangrove Planting Around Aquaculture Ponds in the Tam Giang Lagoon Area and Native Forest Planting for Natural Forest Restoration in A Luoi District," approved by the People's Committee of Hue City under Decision No. 168/QD-UBND on January 20, 2025.

The total project budget is VND 735,550,000 (equivalent to $ 29,875), funded by Cotswold Company (UK) Ltd from the United Kingdom. The project will run until September 2025 and includes activities such as surveys, dispersed forest planting, and post-planting monitoring. In addition to providing seedlings, CSRD has also allocated VND 31,300,000 to support local authorities and communities in implementing reforestation activities.

The primary goal of the project is to promote the community's role in developing a sustainable aquaculture livelihood model based on water resource conservation and ecosystem restoration, enhancing the landscape of aquaculture areas. It also aims to increase the natural forest cover in the mountainous region of A Luoi, helping to mitigate greenhouse gas effects and reduce soil erosion during the rainy season.

For ethnic minority communities in A Luoi, daily livelihoods and cultural life are closely tied to the forest. As a result, local residents are highly committed to planting native trees to restore natural forests.

According to Associate Professor Dr. Trinh Thi Dinh, Director of CSRD, mangrove and native forest trees play a significant role in preventing shoreline and aquaculture pond erosion in the lagoon area. They also help mitigate soil erosion in mountainous regions during the rainy season and enhance landscapes for eco-tourism development. Tree planting is crucial for raising public awareness about natural resource conservation, promoting nature-based livelihood solutions, reducing disaster risks, and adapting to climate change.

$ 1 = VND 25.370 - Source: Vietcombank.