A section of the Trà Sư cajuput forest in the Cửu Long (Mekong) Delta province of An Giang. — VNA/VNS Photo Thanh Sang

AN GIANG — The Cửu Long (Mekong) Delta province of An Giang has approved the Trà Sư cajuput forest protection and sustainable management plan for 2019-30 period in a bid to protect the wetland’s eco-systems.

The VNĐ90 billion (US$3.8 million) plan will focus on protection of native plant and animal species in the 1,050ha forest on the west of the Hậu River and its bio-diversity.

It will also seek to preserve the natural state of the forest and strengthen scientific research and education on bio-diversity conservation, environmental protection and development of eco-tourism.

As part of the plan, the province will next year begin a project to restore the forest and wetland eco-systems that will aim to increase forest coverage by 425 hectares and revive 60 hectares of damaged forests by 2025.

Between 2021 and 2030, facilities will be built to support forest protection and fire prevention, including two 25-metre observation towers, two forest protection checkpoints and a water pumping station, and the forest irrigation system will be upgraded.

Trần Anh Thư, deputy chairwoman of the provincial People’s Committee, said the plan would help protect the eco-system of the Trà Sư cajuput forest, a typical submerged forest.

It would help maintain the forest coverage and sustain its special-use forests, she said.

It would lay the foundation for international co-operation for the protection of wetlands and conservation of bio-diversity in countries in the Lower Mekong sub-region, she said.

It is expected to create economic benefits for locals involved in forest protection, fire prevention and eco-tourism promotion.

Trà Sư, in Tịnh Biên District’s Văn Giáo Commune, is home to hundreds of species of flora and fauna.

A popular tourist destination in the delta, it welcomes millions of domestic and foreign visitors every year. — VNS