Mangrove restoration project funded by the Korean government kicks off

At the launching ceremony for the Red River Delta Mangrove Restoration and Sustainable Management Project (KFS Project), Deputy Minister Le Quoc Doanh said that for 3 years from 2021 to 2024, the Project is implemented in 3 localities: Hanoi, Nam Dinh and Ninh Binh.

The objective of the project is to plant 250 hectares of new forest and restore 80 hectares of mangroves in Xuan Thuy National Park (Nam Dinh) and Kim Son district, Ninh Binh province.

Furthermore, the project will establish a nursery of mangroves in Kim Son (Ninh Binh), support the development of a sustainable forest management plan as well as develop ecotourism.

“At the recently World Forestry Congress held in Korea, participants identified the restoration of mangroves and coastal ecosystems as one of the top priority tasks, an important factor for ensure environmental protection, preserve biodiversity, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, contribute to socio-economic development, effectively respond to climate change and rising sea level", Deputy Minister Le Quoc Doanh shared. 

The project has a total investment capital of 4,392 million USD, equivalent to 103,212 billion VND. Specifically, the Korean Government's non-refundable aid through the Korea Forestry Agency is 3.792 million USD, equivalent to 89,112 billion VND; Vietnam's counterpart capital is 600,000 USD, equivalent to 14.1 billion VND.

Upon completion, the project will contribute to reducing natural disasters, protecting the ecological environment and effectively responding to climate change, as well as improving the livelihoods of forest farmers. 

According to the Management Board of Forestry Projects (Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development), the total area of ​​coastal forests in Vietnam is currently approximately 454,000 hectares. Although accounting for only 3% of the total national forest area, coastal forests play an important role in maintaining ecological balance, preserving biodiversity, preventing waves and winds, limiting coastal erosion, protecting the sea dams.

Vietnam's forest cover has remained stable at 42% in the past, but coastal forests have slowly degraded. Mangroves in Vietnam have decreased by nearly a third, from 408,500ha in 1943 to 270,000ha in 2015.

In many places, coastal forest environments are used for industrial-scale aquaculture; firewood harvesting; infrastructure development... Most of these activities are unsustainable, altering the hydrological conditions necessray to maintain the coastal mangrove system, while mangrove rehabilitation works are difficult and complex.

Mr. Lee Jeong-ho, KFS Project's chief advisor, said that in order to adapt to the Covid-19 pandemic, the project's duration has been adjusted from 5 years to 3 years. He also pledged that the Korean side would support aquaculture in coastal forests and export wild honey from the mangroves to Korea.

Mr. Lee Jeong-ho expressed his confidence in the success and contribution of the Project to the response to global climate change, recalling the interest of South Korean President Moon Jae-In at the opening session of the World Forestry Congress on May 2, 2022.

After listening to shared ideas, Deputy Minister Le Quoc Doanh assigned the Management Board for Forestry Projects to closely coordinate with the local Project Management Boards, Korean experts and other stakeholders. This is the basis to effectively organize the Project implementation, ensuring the schedule and quality as committed.