Improving livelihoods for the residential community on Bich Dam Island

Consult on functional zoning of Nha Trang Bay

Ms. Phan Thi Hoa Binh, Vice President of the Women's Union of Khanh Hoa province, said that this workshop aims to consult with departments, branches, and scientists to complete the draft "Functional Zoning of Nha Trang Bay," which emphasizes the Hon Mun - Bich Dam island area towards sustainable development of coral reefs and improving livelihoods for the residential community on Bich Dam Island.

Dr. Ho Van The, Deputy Director of the Institute of Oceanography (consulting unit), has reported on a plan to adjust the functional zoning of Nha Trang Bay, associated with sustainable livelihood development for Bich Dam.

Accordingly, functional zones of the coastal area of Nha Trang Bay include two areas: the mainland area of Nha Trang City and the Nha Trang Bay area. Of which the mainland area of Nha Trang City is divided into six zones, and the Nha Trang Bay area is divided into four zones. The total area of functional zones in Nha Trang Bay is 26,490 hectares, including 22,482 hectares of water surface area and 4,008 hectares of island area.

In particular, the coastal land of Nha Trang City includes: a protected area for forest restoration and silvicultural development with an area of more than 5,764 hectares; a green agricultural development area of more than 1,020 hectares; a residential and urban development area with an area of 6,896 hectares; an inland wetland protection and development area of more than 963 hectares, etc. For zoning of ecological functions of Nha Trang Bay, there are a marine protected area with an area of 19,756 hectares; an area for reasonable use and environmental and ecological protection of more than 2,684 hectares; and a production area of 2,255 hectares.

It is known that Nha Trang Bay is one of the rare natural models of basin and bay systems in the world, containing most of the typical and rare ecosystems of tropical waters. These are wetland ecosystems, coral reefs, mangrove forests, seagrass beds, estuarine ecosystems, island ecosystems, and coastal sandy ecosystems. In particular, Nha Trang Bay has high biodiversity with 350 species of coral reefs, containing 40% of the world's coral species.

Suggestions for livelihoods in the Bich Dam sea area

At the workshop, delegates said that to create livelihoods for people on Bich Dam Island, it is necessary to develop community tourism. Agreeing with the delegates, Mr. Phan Dinh Phung, Deputy Director of the Khanh Hoa Department of Tourism, said that through the survey, the Bich Dam island area has potential and meets all conditions to form and develop a community ecotourism model.

Mr. Nguyen Van Phong, Deputy Director of DT Khanh Hoa Seaweed Joint Stock Company, proposed that the functional agency, when zoning the functions of Nha Trang Bay, should pay attention to planning the sea grape farming area on Bich Dam Island. This is an environmentally friendly farming object with huge export demand. Furthermore, this farming model can combine tourism. "The company has many years of experience in sea grape farming and is ready to cooperate with Bich Dam people to invest and consume products to create livelihoods for people," Mr. Phong expressed.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Thu Huyen, National Coordinator, GEF/SGP/UNDP, said that she is looking forward to the upcoming draft on adjusting the zoning plan for Nha Trang Bay so that the program can join hands to help people on the Bich Dam Island in the co-management approach to protecting aquatic resources. At the same time, it is possible to conduct very typical community tourism based on the co-management model. "We are ready to join hands to help Bich Dam become an environmentally friendly destination, and people can feel secure in stabilizing their lives," said Ms. Huyen.

After listening to opinions related to functional zoning of Nha Trang Bay associated with sustainable livelihood development for Bich Dam, Mr. Nguyen Van Minh, Vice Chairman of the Nha Trang City People's Committee, said that in the coming time, the city will be responsible for working with the consulting unit to complete the zoning plan, thereby asking for opinions from departments and branches before submitting to competent authorities for approval, ensuring sustainable development of Nha Trang Bay and the entire city in the coming years.