Vietnam Government joins hands to preserve red-crowned cranes

On December 12, at Tram Chim National Park, Tam Nong District, Dong Thap Provincial People's Committee held a ceremony to announce the project to conserve and develop red-crowned cranes in Tram Chim National Park for the period 2022 - 2032.

This is an important event to protect rare and endangered birds, while restoring and maintaining ecological balance in this area.

The ceremony was attended by Mr. Nguyen Quoc Tri, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development; Ms. Phan Viet Nga, Deputy Director of the Department of Nature Conservation and Biodiversity (Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment); Ms. Saranya Paleewongse, Deputy Ambassador of Thailand to Vietnam; representative of the Thai Prime Minister's Office; Mr. Le Quoc Phong, Secretary of Dong Thap Provincial Party Committee, along with leaders of departments, branches and sectors of Dong Thap province, non-governmental organizations, international delegations and many large enterprises, including CP Vietnam Livestock Joint Stock Company.

Vietnam Government contributes to bringing the cranes back

Tram Chim National Park is one of the most important wetland reserves in Vietnam, recognized as a world Ramsar site. However, in recent years, the number of red-crowned cranes - the symbol of Tram Chim - has seriously declined. Causes include changes in hydrological regime, climate change, over-cultivation of agriculture and the reduction of natural habitat. In particular, the salanganes community - the main food source of the cranes - has been severely degraded, negatively affecting the habitat of this species.

To address this urgent situation, Dong Thap province has developed and approved a project to conserve and develop red-crowned cranes in Tram Chim National Park for the period 2022 - 2032. According to the plan, after 10 years of implementation, it is expected that about 100 cranes will be raised and released into the natural environment, of which 50 individuals will be able to live and develop stably.

Mr. Montri Suwanposri, Vice President of CP Vietnam, spoke at the ceremony.

As one of the companion enterprises from the early stages, CP Vietnam Livestock Joint Stock Company played an important role in supporting both material and human resources for the project. With experience from conservation programs in Thailand, especially the success in Buriram province - where the red-crowned crane population was effectively restored, CP Vietnam has become a bridge between Vietnam and Thailand, facilitating the exchange of techniques and practical experiences.

Speaking at the ceremony, Mr. Montri Suwanposri, Vice President of CP Vietnam, shared: “CP Vietnam not only aims to conserve the red-crowned crane but also wants to develop sustainably for the local community. We have organized many educational activities, raising awareness of nature conservation for children and young people, and supporting the livelihoods of people in the core and buffer zones of Tram Chim National Park.

Experience from Thailand shows that nature conservation is not only a responsibility, but also brings long-term economic benefits to the community. As we often say, at first we raise cranes, but later, the cranes will raise people.

In addition, CP Vietnam has also actively implemented projects to support people's livelihoods, help create jobs and improve income. These programs have contributed to reducing pressure on natural resource exploitation at Tram Chim, while building a close relationship between the community and conservation work.

International commitment and cooperation

Mr. Pawalit Ua-Amornwanit - General Director of CP Vietnam (5th from right) and sponsors received thank you gifts from Provincial Party Secretary Le Quoc Phong and Provincial People's Committee Chairman Pham Thien Nghia.

The conservation project has not only received attention from domestic agencies and organizations but also received support from many international partners. Thailand, with its rich experience in conserving red-crowned cranes, has shared its model of raising cranes in a semi-wild environment, helping the species gradually adapt before fully reintegrating into the wild.

Ms. Saranya Paleewongse, Deputy Ambassador of Thailand to Vietnam, emphasized: “The conservation of the red-crowned crane is not only the responsibility of one country, but also a global mission. We are very pleased to see Vietnam and Thailand working closely together to build a sustainable future for this rare bird species.”

Mr. Pham Thien Nghia, Chairman of the People's Committee of Dong Thap province, expressed his hope that with the efforts of relevant parties, Tram Chim will soon return to the familiar image of a fertile wetland, where flocks of red-crowned cranes spread their wings and fly back every spring.

Mr. Pham Thien Nghia, Chairman of Dong Thap Provincial People's Committee, spoke at the project announcement ceremony.

The project is not only a conservation plan but also a vision for sustainable development, protecting natural heritage for future generations. With the support of the Vietnamese Government and many international organizations, the story of “bringing the cranes back” is not only a mission, but also a source of pride, marking Dong Thap’s strong commitment to protecting nature.

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/cp-viet-nam-chung-tay-bao-ton-seu-dau-do-20241216170301605.htm