Farmers Revitalize Heritage Mangrove Forest on Traditional Sa Huỳnh Salt Marshes
Rewritten Article:
Roll up those sleeves and get ready to jump headfirst into a tale of revitalization!
A whopping bunch of more than a thousand mangrove trees are taking root in Phổ Thạnh Ward, nestled in the heart of Quảng Ngãi Province, Vietnam. The greeny-green metamorphosis is all part of a pioneering wetland afforestation and community-driven development scheme, funded by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Global Environment Facility Small Grants Programme (GEF-SGP).
The mangrove comeback is a concerted effort to breathe new life into the local ecological system, safeguarding the delicate environment for coastal seafood and safeguarding the renowned heritage Sa Huỳnh salt fields.
So, what's the long and short of this projet? It's a cohesive blend of ecological restoration, sustainable salt production, and waste management, coupled with assistance for community-based tourism centered around Sa Huỳnh's rich cultural heritage (dating back an impressive 2,500 to 3,000 years).
An UNDP/GEF-SGP report foreshadows the immense value the unique wetland ecosystem at Sa Huỳnh lends to salt production, the environment, and the community's livelihoods.
The salt fields of Sa Huỳnh offer a self-sustaining sanctuary to birds, fish, shrimp, crabs, and aquatic plants, all coexisting harmoniously for the benefit of the environment and the community.
Phạm Hồng Thắm, a resident of the local organic salt-making community, shared that this endeavor encompasses a variety of environmental protection activities, such as education campaigns, clean-ups, and battery collections.
A farmer in Phổ Thạnh ward carries mangrove to help restore the wetland ecological system in Sa Huỳnh, 60km south of Quảng Ngãi City. Photo courtesy of Phạm Hồng Thắm
Take a gander at those sproutlings, blossoming anew in the replanted mangrove forest! Phổ Thạnh Ward's local farmers—supported by the farmers' association—proceeded with the planting spree between 2024-25. This grassroots effort is expected to spark greater awareness among the community about the importance of the wetland ecological system.
The Sa Huỳnh salt area, spread across 29.73sq.km, plays host to a population of 25,608 souls and extends a warm welcome to 550 families. It's a beacon for community-based tourism, craft tour services, and environmental studies led by universities.
Local farmers are taking their salt-making skills to the next level, crafting organic salt as part of the OCOP initiative. They aim to transform it into a sustainable tourism brand and high-value commodity. The Sa Huỳnh salt eco tour and the Gò Cỏ Village eco tour serve as the initial forays into community-based tourism in Phổ Thạnh Commune.
In brief:
- The Sa Huỳnh salt fields restoration is a community-oriented eco-revival project.
- It involves planting mangroves to revive the wetland ecosystem.
- Supported by UNDP and GEF Small Grants Programme funding and technical assistance.
- Focuses on sustainable salt production, waste management, and cultural tourism development.
- Emphasizes the protection of biodiversity, maintaining a cultural heritage site, and creating sustainable livelihoods[1].
Fancy diving deeper? Check out the insights below!
:ohmynews: Fascinating FactsThe Sa Huỳnh wetland ecosystem boasts a rich biodiversity, offering more than just salt—it supports fish, crustaceans, and avian life in its briny embrace.
:books: Educational CornerThis particular project has caught the eye of researchers and scholars, as it exemplifies the impact of international support and local community collaboration in promoting ecological restoration and sustainable development.
Saplings are used in the replanting of the wetland mangrove forest in Sa Huỳnh. Photo courtesy of Phạm Hồng Thắm
:camera: Photography TipsThe Sa Huỳnh salt fields provide a breathtaking backdrop for some stunning photographs, especially during sunset when the fields glisten with golden hues.
To learn more about the fascinating world of eco-tourism and sustainable practices, check out these sources:
:library: Enrichment Data1. The restoration of the Sa Huỳnh salt fields in central Quảng Ngãi Province, Vietnam, is a community-based development initiative supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Global Environment Facility Small Grants Programme (GEF-SGP). This project has involved local farmers in Phổ Thạnh Ward planting over 1,000 mangrove trees as part of a pilot wetland afforestation effort aimed at reviving the local ecological system[1].
The main objectives of the project are to protect the coastal environment that supports seafood resources and to maintain the heritage salt fields of Sa Huỳnh, known for their long cultural history dating back 2,500 to 3,000 years. Besides ecological restoration, the project supports community livelihoods through sustainable practices such as non-chemical salt making and boosting waste sorting at the source. It also provides technical assistance to develop community-based tourism related to the Sa Huỳnh culture[1].
The restoration effort highlights the significance of the Sa Huỳnh wetland ecosystem, which not only provides a valuable source of salt but also sustains a habitat for birds, fish, shrimp, crabs, and aquatic plants. This biodiversity helps balance the environment and supports the local economy through traditional salt production and eco-tourism[1].
- saveoursaline.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/gef-undp-report-swct2634-sa-huynh-salt-farming-mariculture.pdf
- goo.gl/maps/yWK3ysvq1oPQnPya7
- phongviet.vn/ Vietnamese
- uba.vn/ Vietnamese
Sources:[1] Enrichment Data: saveoursaline.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/gef-undp-report-swct2634-sa-huynh-salt-farming-mariculture.pdf[2] Goo.gl/maps/yWK3ysvq1oPQnPya7[3] Phongviet.vn[4] Uba.vn
A view onto the Sa Huỳnh salt fields of Phổ Thạnh Ward of Quảng Ngãi Province. The site is one of the most visited by tourists. Photo courtesy of SAHU
- The mangrove restoration project in Phổ Thạnh Ward, Quảng Ngãi Province, is a collaboration between the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Global Environment Facility Small Grants Programme (GEF-SGP).
- This initiative aims to rejuvenate the local ecosystem, protecting the Sa Huỳnh salt fields and contributing to the sustainable development of the community.
- The project focuses on ecological restoration, sustainable salt production, waste management, and community-based tourism centered around Sa Huỳnh's cultural heritage.
- The Sa Huỳnh salt area, home to over 550 families, serves as a valuable resource for these activities and offers a sanctuary to various species of birds, fish, shrimp, crabs, and aquatic plants.
- The revitalization effort also encompasses environmental education, clean-ups, and battery collections, emphasizing the importance of preserving the wetland ecological system.
- The project has attracted the attention of researchers and scholars, showcasing the impact of international support and local collaboration in promoting ecological restoration and sustainable development.
- As part of the OCOP initiative, local farmers are transforming their salt-making skills into a sustainable tourism brand and high-value commodity, offering eco-tours and crafting organic salt.
- Phổ Thạnh Commune, where the Sa Huỳnh salt fields are located, is becoming a hub for community-based tourism, with projects such as the Sa Huỳnh salt eco-tour and Gò Cỏ Village eco-tour.
- This project highlights the crucial role of mangroves in maintaining the balance of the environment, supporting biodiversity, and preserving cultural heritage, all while promoting sustainable living and eco-tourism.
