Difficulties in regenerating 43 hectares of dead mangrove forest in Ha Tinh

After more than a year, the specific cause of the death of more than 43 hectares of mangrove forest in Ky Ha commune (Ky Anh town, Ha Tinh) has not yet been found. This makes it difficult to regenerate the mangrove ecosystem here.

Video: Commune leaders share about early reinvestment in dead mangrove forests

According to information from the People's Committee of Ky Ha commune, it has been about 18 months since the local mangrove forest was discovered dead, but the locality has not yet received an official answer or conclusion about the cause from the relevant authorities.

This makes it difficult for the town as well as the locality to liquidate, request investment policies, and plant new mangrove forests here.

Mr. Nguyen Tien Thang - Vice Chairman of Ky Ha Commune People's Committee said: "The mangrove forest system plays a very important role, not only in protecting the sea dyke and animal ecosystem, but also in regulating water levels and protecting local aquaculture sites. However, without a conclusion on the cause of the tree death, there is no basis for effective and sustainable reinvestment in mangrove forests...".

Difficulties in regenerating 43 hectares of dead mangrove forest in Ha Tinh

Current status of mangrove forests in Ky Ha commune in May 2022 and December 2023.

From around May 2022, in Lot 1, Section 1, Sub-area 358B of Ky Ha Commune's mangrove forest, managed and protected by Tay Ha and Bac Ha villages, the phenomenon of dead mangrove trees began to appear. It is estimated that the total damaged forest is more than 43 hectares, of which more than 25 hectares (accounting for 60%) of the area has dead forest trees that cannot be restored; the remaining more than 17 hectares of forest (accounting for 40%) have living trees. Dead forest trees make it impossible for aquatic resources living under the canopy to have a place to live.

After receiving the information, the People's Committee of Ky Anh town directed relevant departments and units to urgently investigate the cause, advise on solutions and report to the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (DARD) for further investigation.

In early June 2022, the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development conducted a field inspection, worked with the People's Committee of Ky Anh town and issued a written report, advising the Provincial People's Committee on the current situation and handling direction.

According to the report of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, at that time, the professional sector had not yet determined the cause of the death of the mangrove trees, but had ruled out the cause being caused by harmful organisms.

Difficulties in regenerating 43 hectares of dead mangrove forest in Ha Tinh

Dead mangrove trees drifted across the sea dike of Ky Ha commune.

In response to local recommendations and through inspection of the current situation, the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development requested the Provincial People's Committee to invite central forest authorities and related units to investigate and determine the cause.

However, after all this time, there is still no conclusion on the cause of the forest death. This not only causes difficulties for local authorities and departments in management but also affects local aquatic resources.

According to the reporter's investigation, after reviewing the proposal of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Provincial People's Committee issued Document No. 3119/UBND-NL4 dated June 13, 2022 requesting the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development to preside over and coordinate with relevant units and the People's Committee of Ky Anh town to specifically inspect and promptly take necessary measures to handle mangrove forests in Ky Ha commune in accordance with its functions, tasks and relevant regulations. At the same time, the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development was requested to preside over and coordinate with the Department of Finance to guide the People's Committee of Ky Anh town and relevant individuals and organizations to carry out the liquidation and replanting of mangrove forests in Ky Ha commune as proposed by the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development in Document 1144/SNN - TTBVTV dated June 9, 2022.

Mr. Dao Duc Giang - Head of Ky Anh Town Forest Protection Department said: "After receiving the directive document from the Provincial People's Committee, on July 28, 2022, the Provincial Forest Protection Department, Ky Anh Town People's Committee, Ky Anh Town Forest Protection Department and related units had a meeting to find a solution to liquidate mangrove forests in Ky Ha commune.

At that meeting, it was agreed that the current forest liquidation has no guidance from competent authorities, but this content has been included in Decree No. 83/2020/ND-CP of the Government: Amending and supplementing a number of articles of Decree No. 156/2018/ND-CP dated November 16, 2018 of the Government detailing the implementation of a number of articles of the Forestry Law. Therefore, while waiting for the guiding document on regulations on liquidation of damaged forests, it is proposed that the People's Committee of Ky Anh town assign the People's Committee of Ky Ha commune to coordinate with local authorities to continue the work of protecting and managing the current status of dead mangrove forests; propose that the People's Committee of the town collect relevant records and documents as a basis for liquidating mangrove forests in Ky Ha commune later...".

Difficulties in regenerating 43 hectares of dead mangrove forest in Ha Tinh

After more than a year, the cause of 43 hectares of mangrove forest in Ky Ha commune has not yet been found.

Discussing this issue, Vice Chairman of Ky Anh Town People's Committee Nguyen Van Chung said: "Finding out the cause of the death of more than 43 hectares of mangrove forest in Ky Ha in 2022 is extremely important for the locality.

Because, only when there is a clear conclusion on the cause, there will be a basis for liquidation and reinvestment in mangrove forests in the most effective and sustainable way. Thereby, ensuring the mangrove ecosystem and ensuring the local aquatic resources...

Difficulties in regenerating 43 hectares of dead mangrove forest in Ha Tinh