Vietnam Net

Uncontrolled exploitation of natural resources has weakened or completely destroyed many of the Cuu Long (Mekong) Delta’s ecosystems, experts said at an annual forum last Friday.

More than 200 scientists, policymakers from ministries as well as officials of the 13 Delta provinces, representatives from international conservation and development organisations, research institutes and universities gathered for the “Nature and Culture Conservation for Sustainable Development of Mekong Delta” forum.

Many experts at the forum stressed the importance of maintaining ecosystems in the Mekong Delta, particularly in the context of climate change challenges.

The Delta’s ecosystems have reduced in size, become isolated and fragmented because of activities that include forest clearance for aquaculture or agriculture, infrastructure development, residential area enlargement and contamination by production and wastewater discharge, according to Hoang Viet, Climate Change Co-ordinator for World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Viet Nam.

Read more