The reed marsh on the Đầm River in Bàn Thạch ward is home to thousands of egrets, and residents say the flock has stayed for decades, according to a Tiền Phong feature published on October 28. The paper places the site about 70 km from the city centre.
The freshwater lagoon covers nearly 200 hectares, of which 140 are flooded, Tiền Phong reports. It lists roughly 300 plant and animal species, including 81 vertebrates: 33 fish, 16 reptile and amphibian species and 31 bird species. The cò nhạn, also called the cò ốc, is listed in Vietnam's Red Book of threatened species.
Who keeps the birds safe
Local authorities and residents share the protection work, the paper says. Trình Công Quốc, deputy director of Bàn Thạch's public service centre, told Tiền Phong the marsh is home to many species (translated from Vietnamese). Resident Bùi Viết Việt said locals are very aware and nobody catches egrets there.
Residents stop outsiders who try to trap birds, and electric-shock and other destructive fishing are banned. Only traditional net fishing is allowed. During festivals, residents release fish and shrimp into the lagoon.
Tourism and its limits
Boat tours keep their distance from the roosts, stay quiet and cut engines near the egrets. Guides, boatmen and vendors remind visitors to keep the site clean, avoid plastic bags and leave vegetation alone. Tiền Phong lists litter, plastic waste and boat disturbance among the pressures tourism can add, along with bird trapping and storm damage.
The article adds that after storms and floods uprooted trees, locals and the authorities replanted species including water coconut, lộc vừng, sen and súng. It warns that without rules and protective measures, the site would struggle to keep its natural state.
Sources
This story was compiled by the Da Nang Voice news desk from the published sources listed above. Facts, figures and quotes are attributed to those sources; Da Nang Voice did not conduct interviews for it unless the text says so. Corrections are dated and noted at the top of the story. Read our corrections policy. Spotted an error? Tell us.
