These activities aim to enrich and restore nearly 10ha of degraded forests, improving the forest’s ecological values, and thus mitigating negative consequences of natural disasters, contributing to ensuring crop productivity and thereby improving the quality of people’s lives in Thanh Hoa in particular and Vietnam in general. The newly planted forests also contribute to the conservation of rare and precious wild animals such as Gaur, White-cheeked Crested Gibbon, Grey Langur and Great Horn Bill.
Delegates participating in the program (Photo: Gaia.org)
According to the Vietnam Administration of Forestry, in 2019, Vietnam had 14.45 million ha of forest, equivalent to 41.85% forest coverage. While forest coverage has increased, forest quality has decreased. Due to deforestation and forest quality degradation, natural disasters have severely affected the lives of people across the country, especially central provinces: storms and floods are causing damage to people’s lives and properties; irrigation water, domestic water and agricultural productivity are unstable; and disease outbreaks easily.
Deforestation and forest quality degradation also affects the survival of many wild species. Currently, Vietnam has more than 350 animal species that are at risk of extinction and listed in Vietnam’s Red Data Book. In 2010, the Javan Rhino went extinct. Tigers, Bears, and Leopards are critically endangered. The International Congress for Conservation Biology 2017 agreed that afforestation is a conservation solution that countries need to adopt urgently.
Recognizing the great role of afforestation, Gaia Nature Conservation Center has initiated the programme entitled “Contributing a tree to make a forest” in order to create opportunities for all individuals and businesses to participate in afforestation and realize the role of forests for human beings. The programme has received strong support from thousands of individuals and businesses in only a few months after its launch.
This second phase of tree planting in Ben En National Park received a donation of 7,275 trees from nearly 100 individuals and businesses, such as: OMO, Kenli, Phuc Hung Books and Dong A Books.
For Xuan Lien forest, this is the third phase of forest plantation, which received a total donation of 2,350 trees from Pampers and nearly 60 individuals.
“Planting trees, protecting forests and greening the Earth are our choices to bring more health and happiness to our children and future generations. We hope everyone will act together with Gaia and Pampers to create a green and clean environment for the development of the current and future generations,” said a representative from Pampers.
“Understanding the importance of preserving the environment and raising community awareness, I believe that this is an activity that not only has positive impacts on the ecosystem, but also educates and inspires young people to live positively and do good for others. Authors and readers of Phuc Hung Books appreciate the correlation between acquiring knowledge, gaining experiences and creating value for the community. "I hope more and more trees will be planted, which also means kindness will be widely spread from Vietnamese young people,” Thai Minh Chau - MC, founder and director of Phuc Hung Books excitedly shared.
Xuan Lien Nature Reserve and Ben En National Park are special-use forests of great value in Thanh Hoa Province. 20-30 years ago, before being transformed into special-use forests, these areas were agricultural lands and forest enterprises where timber and wildlife were exhausted by exploitation. Xuan Lien Nature Reserve and Ben En National Park have continuously worked to restore these forests. However, there is still a large area of degraded forest, even bare land, in need of afforestation.
Ms. Dinh Thi Xuan Lan, CEO of Kenli Investment Joint Stock Company, shared: “I was really moved when having the opportunity to participate in planting endangered timber trees for Ben En forest by myself. We are committed to planting forests and working together for a green Vietnam. I hope to receive strong support from everyone for this reforestation activity.”
“Human beings cannot live without forests. Forests ensure health and happiness for us. Many brands have been supporting the afforestation programme with Gaia. This is a good sign for the nature of Vietnam, especially when the the COVID-19 epidemic is spreading rapidly, affecting many different industries. This is a great motivation for Gaia to be more determined in rehabilitating watershed areas throughout Vietnam,” said Ms. Do Thi Thanh Huyen, Founder and Director of Gaia Nature Conservation Center.
The forests will be followed up, monitored and taken care of for 4 years to ensure stable development, with a minimum survival rate of 70-80%. Gaia also works with the management boards of Xuan Lien Nature Reserve and Ben En National Park to research and monitor the forest and publish annual reports. Everyone can update information about the forest annually such as tree survival rate, tree size, growth status of the forest, tree monitoring photos, forest monitoring photos, and status of plants and animals in the forest.
In the coming time, Gaia will continue to promote the programme "Contribute a tree to make a forest" in special-use forests throughout Vietnam, especially planting forests to prevent saltwater intrusion and mitigate the consequences of natural disasters at the Mui Ca Mau National Park.
Gaia calls for the attention and support of companies, organizations, individuals and schools to join Gaia in this meaningful and practical afforestation program./.