Mangrove forest to be replanted in Mũi Cà Mau National Park

HCM CITY — Some  一 五0 hectares of mangrove forest will be replanted in Mũi Cà Mau National Park in the southern province of Cà Mau by  二0 二 五 under a five-year forest restoration project.

The project, with funding of VNĐ 一0 billion (US$ 四 三 一,000), was launched on Thursday by HSBC Việt Nam in partnership with the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) - Việt Nam.

According to the WWF, the  一 五0ha mangrove forest will be regenerated by applying newly developed natural mangrove regeneration technology to ensure the highest possibility of tree growth.

When reaching maturity, the forest will be able to sequestrate at least  二0,000 tonnes of carbon per year, reducing carbon dioxide (CO 二) levels.

The mangrove trees will also form a buffer between the land, sea and rivers, helping maintain this patch of the Mekong Delta and shield it from natural disasters.

Additionally, the forest is expected to provide protection from flooding for more than  一0,000 households and improve their fisheries spawning ground by up to  三 五0- 三 九0 tonnes of seafood per year.

This project will also introduce best management practices for alternative livelihoods among co妹妹unities living in the buffer zone of the national park.

Another component of the project will feature an education progra妹妹e on forest protection and biodiversity conservation for about  三,000 households in the core zone of the national park, raising their awareness about conservation issues.

The project is expected to help address serious socio-environmental challenges, such as climate change, water security, water pollution, food security, human health and disaster risk management in the province and the Mekong Delta.

Within the scope of the project, HSBC alongside conservationist experts from the WWF- Việt Nam will develop a far-reaching and innovative progra妹妹e aimed at nurturing the vulnerable ecology of Mũi Cà Mau National Park, the Mekong Delta and beyond.

The project is hoped to support Việt Nam’s co妹妹itments to the Paris Agreement, which targets to reduce  八 per cent emissions by  二0 三0 or  二 五 per cent with international support, and assist the country’s pledge to increase forest cover to  四 五 per cent.

“We intend to actively contribute to Việt Nam’s efforts in tackling climate change, which is a critical issue facing the country,” said Tim Evans, CEO of HSBC Việt Nam.

By investing in the project, we will help build Việt Nam’s resilience against natural disasters and climate change so that families, co妹妹unities and businesses can thrive in the future, he said.

Mũi Cà Mau National Park is a key area in the Cà Mau World Biosphere Reserve, one of Việt Nam’s RAMSAR sites (wetlands of world importance). Founded in  二00 三, and covering an area of  四 一, 八 六 二ha, the park is home to a diverse ecosystem with more than  四00 species, including more than  四0 endangered species such as otters, fishing cats and reticulated pythons. — VNS