Authorities in Thai Binh Province, northern Vietnam recently announced a plan which will downsize the area of a local natural reserve by ten times to allocate the land for the development of various economic projects.

In April, the Thai Binh People’s Committee issued a decision to modify the dimensions and borders of the Tien Hai Wetland Nature Reserve, situated across the three communes of Nam Phu, Nam Hung, and Nam Thinh in Tien Hai District. 

The revised area spans 1,320 hectares, encompassing 632 hectares of mangrove forests and 688 hectares of non-forest land.

For comparison, the previous decision, dated September 26, 2014, established the natural reserve of 12,500 hectares, incorporating 1,430 hectares of forested land and 11,050 hectares of wetlands and mudflats.

This means that the natural reserve’s land area will undergo a reduction of approximately 90 percent, accompanied by a significant decrease in its mangrove forest expanse.

The primary objective behind the narrowing aligns with the prime minister’s decision on October 28, 2019, which endorsed the comprehensive blueprint for the development of the Thai Binh Economic Zone until 2040, with a vision toward 2050.

Following the size reduction, the Tien Hai Wetland Nature Reserve will find itself in close proximity to the province’s major economic projects.

The reserve’s northern, southern, and eastern parts will border the massive Con Vanh-Con Thu project, which comprises an urban area, service facilities, a resort, and a golf course. 

The project will cover a total expanse of 3,348 hectares and is expected to accommodate approximately 34,600 residents.

Meanwhile, its western flank will be contiguous with the layout designated for advanced aquaculture areas.

The Tien Hai Wetland Nature Reserve holds significance as a vital nucleus within the Red River Delta Biosphere Reserve, a globally-recognized biosphere reserve in Vietnam.

It serves as a repository for a wide array of abundant biological treasures, boasting a collection of 215 bird species, of which almost 160 are migratory birds and over 50 species are water birds, including numerous rare species cataloged in the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red List of Threatened Species. 

Furthermore, the reserve undertakes a crucial role in safeguarding coastal and estuarine environments, ensuring regional security, environmental integrity, and the sustainable advancement of both Thai Binh Province and the surrounding area.

Like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter to get the latest news about Vietnam!