The southern province of Long An is undertaking efforts to protect its
Lang Sen Wetlands Reserve, which lie in the pristine Dong Thap Muoi
(Plain of Reeds) in the Mekong Delta.
Lang Sen
literally means wetlands with many lotus flowers. Located in Vinh Loi
and Vinh Dai communes in Tan Hung district, the reserve covers
approximately 5,030ha, including a 1,500-hectare island and 50 ha of
lotus plants.
According to studies conducted by the
Institute of Tropical Biology from 1989-2011, the Lang Sen Wetlands
Reserve is rich in biodiversity.
It is home to 156
kinds of plants, over 160 species of animals and 114 plankton species,
with 20 species listed in the Red Book of Vietnam and several included
in the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red List of
Threatened Species.
In addition, Lang Sen provides
an ideal habitat for migratory and non-migratory birds, like storks,
cranes, and cormorants.
However, agricultural
production is reducing the area of natural wetlands, thus impacting on
the populations of flora and fauna.
The rapid
development of alien species such as pistia stratiotes and water
hyacinth is also negatively affecting the reserve’s ecosystem.
Besides, timber exploitation, fishing and illegal hunting are pushing
several animal and plant species into the brink of extinction, including
pythons, grass snakes, cobras, and yellow turtles.
To protect the reserve, the provincial People’s Committee instructed the
management board to restore the natural landscape and ecosystem, and
promote scientific research and tourism.
The
province encouraged local residents and communities to participate in
conservation by providing housing and land for cultivation.
It also invested in upgrading infrastructure to support the development of ecotourism.
In the near future, the Lang Sen Wetland Reserve management board will
continue its sound management of plant and animal species, improve the
capacity of the reserve’s staff, and prohibit production and
exploitation methods that harm the sustainability of the reserve and the
integrity of the ecosystem and biodiversity.
The
province also pledged to accelerate education and communication efforts
in the local community, to intensify international cooperation and to
use foreign assistance in effective environmental protection.-VNA