Delegation of IUCN, Oxfam, Ben Tre, Tra Vinh, Tien Giang visiting Soc Trang

On April 25^th 2013, representatives from DARD, Forest Protection Department, People’s Committee at district and commune levels of Ben Tre, Tien Giang and Tra Vinh provinces came to Soc Trang for a 2-day visit, which had been organised by IUCN and Oxfam. The aim of the study tour was to learn about the mangrove co-management model which is being implemented by the GIZ project in Soc Trang.

On Thursday 25 April, the delegation of 26 people was welcomed at GIZ office in Soc Trang. Ms. Bianca Schlegel, the Technical Advisor of the GIZ CZM Soc Trang gave an introductory presentation about the project with emphasis on the mangrove co-management model, its key elements, principles, steps, prerequisite, differences between state management, community forestry and co-management and results so far from the co-management pilot-village of Au Tho B in Vinh Chau town. There was a dynamic discussion after the presentation with many questions from the delegation. Mostly people wanted to know about main difficulties in implementing the model, how to resolve alternative livelihood issues and conflicts arising in negotiation process etc.

On Friday 26 April, the delegation visited Au Tho B village in Vinh Chau, the first pilot site for mangrove co-management in Soc Trang. Participants had the chance to see one of the bamboo walkway which restricts access to the mangrove forest to certain areas and to meet the co-management group and sub-group leaders. Mr. Thach Soal, head of the co-management group told the delegation about the process of co-management establishment in Au Tho B. Mr. Trinh Hiep, representative from DARD Soc Trang, and Mr. Nguyen Van Vu, representative from Soc Trang Forest Protection Department, who have been involved in the process from the beginning, also helped clarifying some questions from the delegation.

The delegation also visited the bamboo T-fences, a close-to-nature solution with the aim to reduce erosion by reducing wave energy and stimulating sedimentation in Vinh Tan in Vinh Chau district. During the debriefing after lunch, the representatives of each province presented shortly their lessons learnt and potential for application of the models at their localities.Overall the representatives were very impressed by both, the co-management model and the natural bamboo T-fences, and identified opportunities and places to implement the models in their provinces.

26.04.2013 Visiting Au Tho B co-management group

Visiting the bamboo T-fences in Vinh Tan