Join hands to protect the environment on Con Co Island

Socio-economic development associated with the task of protecting natural resources and the marine and island ecological environment has been the policy of Con Co island district since its establishment. In particular, improving the management of domestic solid waste and minimizing ocean plastic pollution are urgent and top priority issues to contribute to building the island district into a tourist island, a cultural island, a safe island and a "Pearl of the East Sea" in the near future.

The Center for Communication on Natural Resources and Environment has posted a signboard of the green island model, reducing plastic waste on Con Co Island - Photo: HT

Con Co is located in a marine area with a diverse and rich resource system with an area of ​​about 9,000 km2. This is a convergence area of ​​seafood species from the North and South of the Gulf of Tonkin. Here, 224 species of offshore fish have been recorded out of a total of 960 species of fish distributed in the Gulf of Tonkin, with species of high value such as grouper, tuna, crab, squid, lobster...

There are also 113 species of hard corals, 56 species of seaweed, 46 species of finfish, 20 species of crustaceans, 87 species of coral reef fish, phytoplankton and rare species such as dolphins, a family of green sea turtles (chelonidae), a family of sea turtles and a family of leatherback turtles (dermochelyidae). Con Co also converges all the marine ecosystems of a tropical sea with high biodiversity and is relatively intact compared to other seas of Vietnam. The coral reefs in Con Co are assessed to be in very good condition, with high coverage, diverse species composition and relatively intact.

According to Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Con Co Island District, Truong Khac Truong, in recent times, the island district has always considered the work of preserving a clean marine environment and building a green, clean and beautiful island an urgent task. Accordingly, the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of the district has advised the Standing Committee of the District Party Committee, coordinated with the District People's Committee and related units to launch movements to join hands in protecting the environment.

After a period of launching, it has affirmed the synchronous and creative way of doing things, not only contributing to preserving the marine and island environment but also raising awareness of environmental protection for the people, linking the responsibility of each agency, unit, and enterprise in joining hands to build a civilized, green, clean, and beautiful island district. The People's Committee of Quang Tri province has also implemented a plan to establish a special-use forest to protect the landscape of Con Co island, both serving the goal of protecting the forest-marine ecosystem and serving the interests of the local community through the rational exploitation of natural products from the forest and ecotourism services, while meeting the requirements of ensuring national defense and security.

In 2024, the People's Committee of Con Co island district developed an action plan on plastic waste management in Con Co island district in 2024 and vision to 2030. With the goal of raising awareness and improving solid waste management skills at the source, minimizing plastic waste of the community and businesses and aiming to build "Con Co - a green island without white pollution" by 2030. At the same time, gradually improve the efficiency of solid waste management activities on the island, limit the loss of solid waste and plastic waste to the environment and the ocean.

Promote activities to collect, recycle, and reuse plastic waste, establishing a new life cycle for ocean plastic waste. In particular, the Front and the District People's Committee have coordinated to promote propaganda, mobilization, and supervision of environmental resource protection through many new and effective models such as: planting and placing colorful bougainvillea pots along the main roads of the island; implementing a self-managed coastal model; simultaneously cleaning the sea...

Along with that, the island district has launched a model to combat plastic waste with practical activities such as signing a model to combat plastic waste between the Department of Natural Resources and Environment, Con Co island district, and tourism agencies operating on the island; mobilizing the military and civilians to collect plastic waste and clean up the island; training against plastic waste for officers, soldiers and people; releasing juveniles to supplement marine resources in the Con Co Island Marine Reserve...

Recently, at the Conference on disseminating models of plastic waste reduction, solid waste classification at source, promoting existing and typical models in Vietnam held on Con Co Island, Deputy Director of the Center for Natural Resources and Environment Communication, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment Cao Minh Tuan highly appreciated the environmental protection models deployed in the island district and requested the government, people, departments, branches, units and related organizations to continue to coordinate and implement synchronous solutions to join hands in preserving the green and clean color of the sea and islands of the homeland, focusing on reducing plastic waste and classifying solid waste at source.

Effectively implement the Government's Strategy for sustainable exploitation and use of resources and protection of marine and island environment until 2030, with a vision to 2050; the Law on Environmental Protection 2020 and legal documents on environmental protection.

In particular, prioritizing the use of environmentally friendly technology and products that consume little energy; limiting the use of raw materials that generate waste and pollute the environment, especially disposable plastic products; collecting, classifying, and treating household waste and plastic waste at the source; promoting the responsibility of leaders in performing the tasks of managing, exploiting, and rationally using marine resources to protect and preserve marine and island resources and environment for the goal of sustainable development...

Ha Trang

Source: https://baoquangtri.vn/chung-tay-bao-ve-moi-truong-tai-dao-con-co-188214.htm