The causes of worsening land erosion along rivers and the coast in the Mekong Delta were analysed at a seminar held in the Mekong Delta province of Soc Trang on June 6.
Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Hoang Van Thang said among various reasons, impacts from development process in upstream Mekong River, socio-economic development in the Delta and climate change are the major factors causing land erosion in the region.
He said integrated solutions are needed which must combine management of coastal economic development, local residents’ livelihoods and the cultivation of mangrove forests.
According to the deputy minister, the Ministry is cooperating with relevant ministries and foreign organisations to build up counter plans, which include sea dyke and land use planning.
In addition, science-technology measures will be deployed to efficiently control and prevent the erosion.
Several successful solutions to land erosion were shared at the conference such as a model of wave breaker fence in Soc Trang and Bac Lieu, fortified embankment and protective forest.
Attendees agreed that mangrove forest plantation is a sustainable measure to protect the coastline and dykes.
According to recent scientific research, 38 percent of the land in Mekong Delta region will be engulfed by the sea in 2100 due to climate change. Mangrove forests destruction has led to the drastic salinity intrusion in the region, which seriously affect local life and production.-VNA
