May 20, 2024 | 17:49 GMT +7

  • Click to copy
Tuesday- 16:15, 01/08/2023

Restoring the ecosystem to sustain the red-crowned cranes

(VAN) The project aims to restore the ecosystem of Tram Chim National Park so that red-crowned cranes can live and reproduce in a healthy environment.
Tram Chim National Park is home to vibrant vegetation with ​​over 7,500 hectares. Photo: Le Hoang Vu.

Tram Chim National Park is home to vibrant vegetation with ​​over 7,500 hectares. Photo: Le Hoang Vu.

Tram Chim National Park Project in Tam Nong district is the area for implementing the Conservation and Development of Cranes Project. It aims to restore and revive the crane population by raising and releasing them into the natural environment. This joint program by the International Crane Foundation (ICF) and the Vietnam Zoo Association (VZA) will facilitate related activities to recover the red-crowned crane population.

According to the agreement between the two organizations, the Zoological Park Organization of Thailand will provide newborn red-crowned cranes to Tram Chim National Park to further nurture and release them into the wild.

Mr. Nguyen Phuoc Thien is the Vice Chairman of the People’s Committee of Dong Thap Province and Head of the Executive Committee of the Conservation and Development of Cranes in the Tram Chim National Park Project.

According to him, the project aims to restore and develop red-crowned cranes by raising and releasing them into the natural environment. Within ten years (2023-2033), the project aims to sustain 150 cranes with a minimum of 100 successful cases. The released cranes can reproduce and survive on their own in the wild.

The project has four main contents: raise and release cranes in Tram Chim National Park; improve the cranes’ habitat; build organic agricultural production areas around the area; promote, educate, and develop sustainable livelihoods based on cranes and organic agriculture; mobilize the participation of local communities. The estimated total cost of implementation is more than 76 billion VND, with which habitat improvement for cranes costs nearly 13 billion VND, organic agricultural production is nearly 6 billion VND, and tourism promotion is around 8 billion VND.

The People’s Committee of Dong Thap Province is the planning area coded A4 within Tram Chim National Park. It is a favorable area to raise cranes into the wild. Photo: Le Hoang Vu.

The People’s Committee of Dong Thap Province is the planning area coded A4 within Tram Chim National Park. It is a favorable area to raise cranes into the wild. Photo: Le Hoang Vu.

The People’s Committee of Dong Thap Province is the planning area coded A4 within Tram Chim National Park. It is a favorable area to raise cranes into the wild. Around this area is a buffer zone with an area of 1,623 hectares, which is a good condition for organic rice cultivation instead of using chemical fertilizers like previously.

Currently, there are four households in Phu Duc and Tan Cong Sinh communes participating in organic farming in an area of about 40 hectares. The rice is now over 80 days old, entering the ripening stage.

Mr. Nguyen Van Man, a farmer in Tan Cong Sinh commune (Tam Nong district), has grown 6 hectares of organic rice in buffer zone A4. He reports that National Park’s buffer zone farmers support organic rice cultivation. Farmers are willing to expand the planting area as long as the model is profitable and generates stable output.

Recently, the delegation led by the Secretary of the Dong Thap Province, Mr. Le Quoc Phong, surveyed the key zones of Tram Chim National Park. They are A1, A4, and A5 areas where red-crowned cranes are used to migrate and help farmers in the buffer zone grow organic rice. Area A1 alone has nearly 5,000 hectares, making it a critical Tram Chim National Park area. It provides wetland habitats for waterbirds to live and reproduce.

Within ten years (from 2023 to 2033), the project aims to sustain 150 cranes with a minimum of 100 successful cases. The released cranes can reproduce and survive on their own in the wild. Photo: Le Hoang Vu.

Within ten years (from 2023 to 2033), the project aims to sustain 150 cranes with a minimum of 100 successful cases. The released cranes can reproduce and survive on their own in the wild. Photo: Le Hoang Vu.

According to Mr. Nguyen Van Lam, Director of Tram Chim National Park, area A1 used to be where cranes migrated. The last time cranes migrated here was in 2021. This area is in the deep zone of the park with a diverse ecosystem and mounds higher than the water level. The project’s first phase will stabilize water levels, implement a separate treatment method to improve dry grassland, and restore heirloom grassland and wild rice.

For cranes to live year-round, the water level in the forest is crucial. However, the water level is difficult to manage, which requires further monitoring and calculation.

Secretary of the Dong Thap Province Le Quoc Phong notes that the Tram Chim National Park Management Board needs to assess the current status of water over the years. This process ensures ecological restoration by proactively maintaining the water level, ensuring good water quality, and limiting wild rice fields.

Secretary of the Dong Thap Province, Le Quoc Phong (on the right), speaks with farmers in the buffer zone of Tram Chim National Park (Tan Cong Sinh and Phu Duc communes) regarding the organic rice pilot model, which ultimately creates a favorable environment for the crane conservation project. Photo: Le Hoang Vu.

Secretary of the Dong Thap Province, Le Quoc Phong (on the right), speaks with farmers in the buffer zone of Tram Chim National Park (Tan Cong Sinh and Phu Duc communes) regarding the organic rice pilot model, which ultimately creates a favorable environment for the crane conservation project. Photo: Le Hoang Vu.

In addition, in areas A4 and A5, the Secretary suggests the Management Board of Tram Chim National Park maintain the current status of the Melaleuca forest in this area. This aims to create the best ecosystem focusing on habitat restoration at Tram Chim National Park to preserve and develop cranes and other wild animals.

Mr. Le Quoc Phong, Secretary of Dong Thap Province, emphasizes that the project’s critical point is to restore the national park’s ecosystem. This goal aims to provide a favorable environment where cranes can live, sustain and reproduce. It is necessary to keep the planted Melaleuca forest while considering thinning the regenerated Melaleuca to create an airy environment as a landing ground for cranes.

Authors: Le Hoang Vu - Ho Thao

Translated by Quynh Chi

Anticipatory action: A Proactive Approach to Disaster Management

Anticipatory action: A Proactive Approach to Disaster Management

(VAN) According to Deputy Minister Nguyen Hoang Hiep, anticipatory action is a new approach in disaster management, with the aim of enhancing disaster prevention and preparedness.

Tay Ninh province to promote export of animal and animal product

Tay Ninh province to promote export of animal and animal product

(VAN) The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, in coordination with Tay Ninh Provincial People's Committee, organized a conference on May 18 to promote the export of animals and animal products.

Launching first training classes for farmers on low-emission rice farming

Launching first training classes for farmers on low-emission rice farming

(VAN) From May 17-23, the National Agricultural Extension Center (NAEC) conducts training classes on the advanced rice farming process at 5 localities piloting for the 1 million ha of high-quality rice scheme.

Transforming Ho Chi Minh city into a green oasis

Transforming Ho Chi Minh city into a green oasis

(VAN) Planting and expanding green spaces is a crucial effort to mitigate and adapt to the impacts of climate change, thereby creating a clean and livable environment.

Research on a system for measuring CO2 and CH4 emissions from rice plants

Research on a system for measuring CO2 and CH4 emissions from rice plants

(VAN) EcoTraceTech - System for measuring CO2 and CH4 emissions from rice plants is the startup idea of a group of Can Tho University students.

NESCAFÉ Plan helps reduce coffee greenhouse gas emissions

NESCAFÉ Plan helps reduce coffee greenhouse gas emissions

(VAN) The NESCAFÉ Plan by Nestlé Vietnam in the Central Highlands together with MARD aims to support coffee farmers in regenerative agriculture.

Reducing more than 30 million kg of CO2 emissions thanks to Community Food Garden

Reducing more than 30 million kg of CO2 emissions thanks to Community Food Garden

(VAN) The Community Food Garden model is one of the outstanding activities and models of green transformation in the world as well as in Vietnam.

Read more