Erosion along Kien Giang beach (Source: VNA)Kien Giang (VNA) – The Mekong Delta province of Kien Giang is stepping up afforestation in an effort to reduce erosion and tackle climate change.
The locality boasts 130km of coast from Ha Tien town to An Minh district. However, climate change and rising sea-levels have worsened erosion, directly affecting the lives of local residents.
On August 30, the provincial People’s Committee declared a state of emergency due to severe erosion in the Xeo Nhau area of Tan Thanh commune, An Minh district.
More than a half of the forest area in Xeo Nhau has been lost due to coastal erosion.
Hoang Van Tuan, Deputy Director of the local Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, said that to cope with erosion, about 300 hectares of forests were planted in 2015.
The locality has more than 4,000 hectares of protection forests in its 10 coastal communes, and is looking to expand this area.
The province is selecting trees appropriate to the local land and climate, and erecting fences to serve afforestation in Nam Thai commune of An Bien district and Binh Giang and Binh Son communes of Hon Dat district.
The project will be carried out in other communes hit by erosion, especially in An Minh and Hon Dat districts.
Additionally, communications will be intensified to raise public awareness of forest protection.-VNA
