In August 2025, the project “Strengthened climate resilience and sustainable income generation for mangrove forest-dependent vulnerable communities” (VM077), implemented by the Centre for Sustainable Rural Development (SRD) in Ca Mau, organized training activities to strengthen community coordination in planting, nurturing, managing, and protecting mangrove forests. At the same time, the project launched a community campaign to plant new coastal protective mangrove forests.  

As part of its annual plan, SRD collaborated with local partners to conduct 09 training sessions on “Planting, Nurturing, Managing, and Protecting Mangrove Forests” at Mui Ca Mau National Park, Dat Mui Protective Forest Management Board, and Tam Giang Protective Forest Management Board. The sessions engaged 180 residents from the three communes of Tam Giang, Dat Mui, and Phan Ngoc Hien, of whom nearly 35% were women.  

The training activities focused on providing knowledge about current laws and policies related to mangrove forest management, protection, and development; the rights, responsibilities, and obligations of communities and contracted households; as well as techniques for planting, nurturing, regenerating, and monitoring forests after planting. In addition, participants engaged in field practice, directly experiencing planting techniques adapted to the specific soil and hydrological conditions of Ca Mau’s coastal areas.  

Through these sessions, residents were equipped with knowledge of silviculture techniques and forest and wildlife protection laws, as well as hands-on experience in planting, caring for, and managing mangrove forests. Many participants shared that the training helped them better understand the vital role of forests, thereby enhancing their awareness and responsibility in preserving this precious ecosystem.  

Alongside the training, the Dat Mui and Tam Giang Protective Forest Management Boards jointly launched a campaign to plant 10 hectares of new mangrove forest (Rhizophora apiculata). The activity involved 50 households contracted to manage forest land, with each household planting from 0.1 to 0.4 hectares, resulting in a total density of 8,000 trees per hectare. All initial costs for land preparation, seedlings, planting, and replanting in the first year were covered by the VM077 project. From the second year onwards, local households will take over forest maintenance and receive the full benefits from the forest.  

Speaking at the event, Mr. Phan Minh Chí, Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture and Environment of Ca Mau, highly appreciated the project’s support and emphasized the importance of combining theoretical training with practical forest plantation activities. He also suggested that the project continue to work closely with the Protective Forest Management Boards and local communities to implement the approved afforestation plans, ensuring proper density and quality. Step by step, these efforts will help restore green cover on barren lands, increase forest coverage, conserve biodiversity, and create sustainable livelihoods for local communities.  

Through this activity, the VM077 project reaffirms its commitment to working alongside the authorities and communities of Ca Mau in harmonizing nature conservation with sustainable economic development, thereby contributing to strengthening climate resilience in the Mekong Delta region.