CAN THO - Tram Chim National Park in the Mekong Delta province of Dong Thap on Tuesday got a certificate from the Ramsar Secretary General in recognition of the country’s fourth and the world’s 2,000th site of the Ramsar Convention of Wetlands of International Importance.
Covering 7,600 hectares, Tram Chim is home to 250 types of water birds, 100 freshwater fish species and 190 higher plant breeds. In particular, the site has witnessed the return of 32 endangered bird species like sarus cranes (grus antigone).
The national park has 3,000 hectares of cajuput and 1,000 hectares of lotus, water lilies and wild rice, which creates a favorable environment for birds and other animals to live.
The world Ramsar site this year has generated revenue of VND600 million with 5,000 tourists coming for scientific studies and travel, up 40% year-on-year.
However, Tram Chim has more challenges ahead as the number of sarus cranes returning to the land is shrinking. The number of the rare birds flocking to this wetland area was 1,050 in 1988 but has fallen to 50-60 birds this year.
Vietnam’s three other Ramsar sites are Xuan Thuy in Nam Dinh Province, Cat Tien National Park in Dong Nai Province and Ba Be Lake in Bac Kan Province.
thesaigontime.vn
