Vam Ho Bird Sanctuary and surrounding areas: A natural heritage site with many practical benefits

BDK - The proposed area of Vam Ho Bird Sanctuary Natural Heritage and the surrounding area is located in the communes of My Hoa, Tan Xuan, Bao Thanh, Bao Thuan, Tan Thuy, Tiem Tom town (Ba Tri) and Thanh Tri, Dai Hoa Loc, Thanh Phuoc, Thoi Thuan communes (Binh Dai). This Heritage Area is proposed to have two areas: Core area, with an area of 4,452.53ha including: Forest area (Vam Ho Bird Sanctuary, Con Loi, protective forest along/at Ba Lai river mouth) 2,932.27ha. Alluvial area of estuary 1,520.26ha. Buffer zone, including: areas within a radius of 1km from the core area with an area of 11,695.74ha. The total area of the proposed Natural Heritage area is 16,148.27ha.

Developing tourism at Vam Ho Bird Sanctuary (Ba Tri). Photo: Tran Xien

Important natural ecosystems

Dr. Le Thi Thuy Duong - Lecturer of the Faculty of Biology - Biotechnology, University of Natural Sciences, Ho Chi Minh National University, head of the project "Assessment and proposal of natural heritage for Vam Ho Bird Sanctuary and neighboring areas" said: Ba Lai River plays an important role in the socio-economic development of Ben Tre province. The Ba Lai estuary has important wetland ecosystems; it is the natural habitat of many valuable aquatic species. Estuary and coastal mangrove forests help reduce the impact of waves, currents and riverbank and coastal erosion thanks to the special root system of the plants.

Vam Ho Bird Sanctuary in My Hoa Commune, Ba Tri District has an area of about 60 hectares but is home to many species of water birds. Not only that, Vam Ho Bird Sanctuary and the surrounding area also accumulate carbon, helping to filter pollutants, sediments and protect the freshwater source of the area. Previously, this area had brackish water. However, after the Ba Lai dam was formed, it was completely freshened, attracting birds that prefer to live in freshwater wetland habitats as well as birds that prefer to live in brackish wetland habitats and some species of saltwater birds.

Through survey data and synthesis over 20 years by scientists , the alluvial plains of Thoi Thuan commune (Binh Dai) and An Thuy (now Tiem Tom town - Ba Tri) have many bird species living. The alluvial plains of coastal Thanh Phu district also attract a number of birds to live but less because the area here is smaller. Ben Tre is a province classified as extremely endangered due to climate change. Building a green protection belt by protecting the intact mangrove forests of Thanh Phu, Ba Tri and Binh Dai is necessary for social stability in the future.

Natural heritage site

According to Dr. Le Thi Thuy Duong, through research methods; assessing natural conditions, socio-economic conditions and current status of ecosystems, biodiversity of the proposed natural heritage area; assessing the compliance with criteria for establishing natural heritage, establishing boundaries, zoning natural heritage; consulting the community, the project implementation team "Assessing and proposing natural heritage for Vam Ho Bird Sanctuary and neighboring areas" has provided orientations for management and environmental protection of the natural heritage area.

According to Dr. Le Thi Thuy Duong, the project has clearly defined its objectives, aiming to preserve mangrove forests and coastal alluvial plains in Ben Tre, contributing to minimizing the impacts of climate change and rising sea levels, protecting the integrity of ecological functions and developing the province's coastal biodiversity resources; protecting the stability of fishery output, contributing to improving people's lives and sustainable economic development.

Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture and Environment Vo Van Ngoan said: After being formed, the Natural Heritage Area will bring many benefits to the province and the community in the heritage area, including: Promoting the local image, developing eco-tourism. Attracting international cooperation in protecting the natural environment; protecting the habitat for bivalve mollusks (clams, cockles) and other indigenous aquatic species of economic value in the province. Regarding the environment, contributing to the province's biodiversity conservation work, preserving the natural habitat, habitat of valuable indigenous species and rare migratory birds in the world.

In order to restore the resources and wetland ecosystem of the province, the Provincial People's Committee issued Official Letter No. 2510/UBND-KT on the implementation of the project "Assessment and proposal of Natural Heritage for Vam Ho Bird Sanctuary and neighboring areas". This project is part of the policy of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (now the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment) on supporting the province to establish at least 2 conservation areas in the Ba Lai estuary and Ham Luong estuary, according to criteria a, b and c of Decree No. 66/2019/ND-CP on the conservation of important wetland ecosystems, providing natural habitats for many valuable aquatic species.

Tran Quoc

Source: https://baodongkhoi.vn/san-chim-vam-ho-va-vung-lan-can-khu-di-san-thien-nhien-mang-lai-nhieu-loi-ich-thiet-thuc-06062025-a147750.html