Hạ Long -

Vietnam Travel

- Halong Cruises - Travel Company In Vietnam - Vietnam Travel Agency - Ẩm thực - Vietnam Tourism -

Travel To Vietnam

- Hotel in halong

Forum for preservation of Mekong Delta debuts

Published: 12/05/2009 05:00

0

100 views

The World Wildlife Foundation (WWF) will host the first annual forum on the preservation of the environment and culture of the Mekong Delta in Can Tho city on June 5.

The Mekong River Delta (photo: WWF)

The Mekong Delta is significant in terms of biodiversity and culture in the Southeast Asian region. Owing to dramatic economic development in this region, biodiversity is facing serious challenges, such as the reduction of ecosystems, the narrowing of agricultural land, encroachment of salt water, and urbanisation.

The WWF’s forum aims to call for the participation of all related sides in the decision-making process on the management, preservation and development of natural resources and culture for the sustainable development of the Mekong Delta, ensuring rural people’s means of support and preserving the wetland ecosystem of the region.

WWF expert Hoang Viet said that in the world, important rivers have forums to strengthen cooperation and information sharing between related sides, for example the Yangtze Kiang and Huang He river forums in China and the Danube River Forum in Europe. The WWF’s initiative to set up the Mekong River Forum was warmly supported by the authorities of Mekong Delta provinces, Can Tho University, UNESCO’s Human and Biosphere Committee and many scientists and environmentalists.

The first forum will be held on June 5, World Environment Day, in the Mekong Delta city of Can Tho to discuss environmental and social issues in the Mekong Delta.

The organising board is calling for the participation and contributions of officials of Mekong Delta provinces, policy makers, scientists, managers of national reserves, local people, individuals and organisations that are interested in the sustainable development of the Mekong Delta.

To attend the forum, please register with Mr. Hoang Viet, expert in fresh water preservation, WWF Greater Mekong-Vietnam Programme, 39 Xuan Dieu, West Lake, Hanoi.

Tel. 84-4-3719 30 49, ext.156
Fax. 84-4-3719 30 48
Cell-phone: 0913283477

E-mail: viet.hoang@wwfgreatermekong.org

The Mekong River is one of the world’s major rivers. It is the world’s 10th-longest river and the 7th-longest in Asia. Its estimated length is 4,350 km, and it drains an area of 795,000 km2. From the Tibetan Plateau it runs through China’s Yunnan province, Burma, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam. All except China and Burma belong to the Mekong River Commission.

The Mekong basin is one of the richest areas of biodiversity in the world. More than 1,200 species of fish have been identified and there could be possibly as many as 1,700. Fishing is a very important part of the economic activities in the area and a vital source of protein in the local diet. Estimates indicate that some 120 fish species are commercially traded but most of the fishery is based on 10-20 species.

The Mekong Delta is the region in southwestern Vietnam where the Mekong River approaches and empties into the sea through a network of distributaries. The Mekong delta region encompasses a large portion of southeastern Vietnam of 39,000 square kilometres. The size of the area covered by water depends on the season.

The Mekong Delta covers the following provinces: Can Tho, An Giang, Bac Lieu, Ben Tre, Ca Mau, Dong Thap, Hau Giang, Kien Giang, Long An, Soc Trang, Tien Giang, Tra Vinh and Vinh Long.

The area is home to large numbers of rice fields. Additionally, the region is home to large exports of basa fish, Tra catfish and shrimp, much of which is exported. This region has recently been dubbed as a ’biological treasure trove’. Over 1,000 new species have been discovered in previously unexplored areas of the Mekong Delta, including a species of rat thought to be extinct.

VietNamNet/VNE

Provide by Vietnam Travel

Forum for preservation of Mekong Delta debuts - Sci-Tech - News |  vietnam travel company

You can see more



Halong Cruises

Prev Next

enews & updates

Sign up to receive breaking news as well as receive other site updates!

Ads by Adonline

La Belle Vie Hotel