VietNamNet Bridge – Tram Chim National Park in Tam Nong District of the Mekong Delta province of Dong Thap is currently putting on top priority the reservation of 57 plant species, fisheries and waterfowl, in which 17 species are in the Red Book of Vietnam and facing the threat of extinction in the near future.

Those 17 endangered species include the giant freshwater carp known as Ho, or Catlocarpio siamensis, white-winged geese, spoonbills, large adjutant, otis; and some extremely threatened species that could cease to exist in the near future such as snakehead fish, common carp, seven-spot archer fish, red-headed crane, black eagle, and gray-legged pelican among others.

 Nguyen Van Hung, director of Tram Chim National Park, said that the increased threat of extinction on endangered species of animals and plants is the result of changing climate, which caused flood, drought, wildfires, erosions, landslides, diseases, and other invading species. All of those factors combined together are threatening the biodiversity of those species’ habitat, which leads to the extinction of rare genes and the emergence of new diseases.

To address this situation, Dong Thap Province has made feasible solutions to reduce the impact of climate change, along with the policies, schemes and residential development projects aimed at improving life qualities for the people at the buffer zone, reduce the intrusion and illegal exploitation of natural resources, and hunting of wild animals.

The provincial government has approved a plan to invest VND208 billion towards the conservation and sustainable development of Tram Chim National Park for the 2013-2020 period.

Accordingly, the objectives and critical tasks of planning are the protection and conservation of the special landscapes, ecosystems, unique wetlands, rare animals and plants of Dong Thap Muoi, as a form of national standard wetlands with international importance compared to that of an international Ramsar.

SGT/VNN