Soc Trang (VNA) - Theco-management model for mangrove forest protection in Soc Trang province hasimproved livelihoods in local communities and efficiently protects forests.

Located south of the HauRiver, the southern-most tributary of the Mekong River, Soc Trang has faced theimpacts of climate change, including coastal erosion.

Human activities likeover-exploitation of aquatic resources in mangrove forests have caused thedegradation of those forests which act as shields preventing erosion of coasts.

To grow mangroveforests, the province launched the co-management model in Au Tho B hamlet inVinh Chau town’s Vinh Hai commune in 2007.

Under it, local peopletogether with authorities protect the forests and exploit aquatic resources andwood.

Thach Soal, head of the Au Tho B hamlet co-management group, said: “Previously local people who cameinto mangrove forests to exploit aquatic resources were not aware of the needto protect forests and even cut trees.”

As a result, coastalareas eroded and this impacted the livelihoods and agricultural production oflocal people, he said.

After participating inthe co-management model, people have begun to protect mangrove forests andexploit aquatic resources properly since they now understand mangroves providethem with their livelihood, he added.      

Besides protectingforests, locals have also planted more trees.

Nguyen Thanh Toan, Vice Chairman of the Vinh Hai Commune People’s Committee, said after theco-management model was adopted, mud flats have been developed and mangroveforests are being grown densely.

People are benefitingmore from the forests’ aquatic resources, he added.

After its success in AuTho B, the model has been expanded to the province’s other coastal districtslike Tran De and Cu Lao Dung.

In Cu Lao Dung’s AnThanh Nam commune, forest rangers and locals protect nearly 600ha of mangroveforests, which have prevented erosion.

Thach Son, head of thecommune's co-management group, said for locals, “Protecting forests isprotecting their livelihoods.”

Besides protectingmangrove forests, locals also breed aquatic species like obtuse horn shell andmud clams in mangrove forests to improve their incomes.

Tran Trong Khiem, headof the province's Forest Protection Sub-department, said people’s awareness ofthe importance of mangrove forests has increased significantly afterparticipating in the co-management model.  

They voluntarilyco-operate with authorities to protect and grow mangroves, he said.

The co-management modelhas helped protect the forests and improve incomes for people, he added.

The province has 1,500haof mangrove forests under the co-management model, according to thesub-department.

Its mangrove cover hasincreased from 5,500ha in 2011 to nearly 8,000ha now./.