The event "Protection of mangrove forests, adapting to climate change. Responding to the World Environment Day" was a communication activity under the project "Red River Delta Adaptation and Youth"- READY Project, held on 24th June 2017 at Xuan Thuy National Park, Giao Thuy district, Nam Dinh province in a chain of activities for environmental protection month.
The Asian Development and Management Institute (AMDI) and its partner, Centre for Marinelife Conservation and Community Development (MCD), together with the sponsor - General Motors (GM), Chevrolet Vietnam brand successfully organized the event, with an aim of raising awareness for GM staff, local youth and residents about the importance of mangrove forests to the environment. Alongside this, the event played an important part in dissemination knowledge of environmental protection, especially mangrove forests in a more complicated climate change condition in Vietnam generally, particularly in coastal areas such as Giao Thuy district.
The occasion had its honor to welcome the Chairman and more than 100 employees of Chevrolet Vietnam, together with local authorities of Giao Thuy district and more than 150 youth union members in neighbouring communes in the area of Xuan Thuy National Park.
Art performance by local youth at opening ceremony
At the event, Mr. Vu Thanh Tinh – Vice president of People's Committee - Giao Thuy district would like to send his sincere thanks to READY project for its contribution to the local development over past 2 years. The project had conducted a range of practical activities such as raising awareness in environmental protection through various trainings, communication actions and a number of livelihood activities to adapt climate change, which created positive changes for local life across Giao Thuy district.
Mr. Vu Thanh Tinh – Vice president of People's Committee - Giao Thuy district
Mr. Sumito Ishii – Managing Director of GM Vietnam said “Management and maintenance of natural environment is a regular part of business model of our GM company. We focus on sustainable solutions for community development where we live and work. GM always makes our efforts in contribution to environmental protection of Vietnam – a country with an extremely diverse ecosystem”.
After the opening ceremony, two main activities of the event which include planting mangroves and exploring mangrove ecosystems were implemented subsequently.
The activity of mangrove planting involved more than 100 staff of GM company and youth members of Giao Thuy district. Under detailed guidelines of the technical officer of Xuan Thuy National Park besides a careful preparation, more than 500 youth trees were planted on this occasion These plants were planted in the hope that in the future they will, provide support for local residents in sustainable livelihoods, prevention of sea waves and salty intrusion as well as a good destination for various fauna and flora. As the first time engaging in such an interesting tree plantation event like this, GM staff were eager to experience and carefully grow small trees they were in charge of.
Tree plantation activities by local youth
Second primary activity of the event was to explore the typical fauna and flora system of Xuan Thuy mangrove forest. Guided by officials of Xuan Thuy National Park, the tour attracted attention of participants thanks to the scientific introduction and open atmosphere. Local youth, besides understanding the significant contribution of mangrove to local livelihoods as always, were cognizant of new mangrove forest’s role in the whole ecosystem, preservation of inner field and protection of residential daily life in the context of clearer condition of climate change and sea level rise in Giao Thuy. Experiencing a meaningful day with various activities, local youngsters were expected to enhance their awareness and have a practical plan, in collaboration with communities, to preserve the ecosystem of mangrove forest owing to its importance in livelihood generation and safety protection for indigenous life.
Apiculture in Xuan Thuy National Park
A high viewpoint to Xuan Thuy National Park