The long-tailed macaques, a rare animal, is listed in the IUCN’s Red List (Photo VNA)Soc Trang (VNA)- The Mekong Delta province of Soc Trang aims to preserve 350 long-tailedmacaques monkeys living in a mangrove forest and develop eco-tourism as part ofits tourism development plan by 2020.
Cu Lao Dung district hasabout 350 long-tailed macaques living in the natural mangrove forest of nearly1,640 ha in An Thanh Nam commune.
Le Minh Duong, Vice Chairmanof the district’s People’s Committee, said the plan would not only help protectthe macaques and the biodiversity of the forest, but also support fordeveloping ecological tourism in the district.
The natural mangrove forestis located on An Thanh Nam Island, which has a diversified biodiversity withthousands of animals and plants giving a great potential for eco-tourismdevelopment, he said.
The district has tasked thecommune authority to collaborate with security guards, ranger forests andrelevant agencies to manage and monitor the prevention of illegal hunting ofmacaques.
The district also plans toimprove infrastructure and promote some typical local products to attracttourists, according to Duong.
According to Tran Minh Ly,Director of the province’s Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism, themacaques often climb to the trees in the forest when water levels rise and godown to the ground to find food when the tide recedes. This behavior is aunique feature for tourism development.
In addition, the provincialPeople’s Committee has given approval to the district to develop a 300 haeco-tourism fruit garden.
Luong Minh Quyet, Directorof the province’s Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, said the departmenthad supported providing nutrition foods for the macaques to ensure their healthand growth, and help them become friendly with people.
The department was wrappingup a plan to build an area for the macaques to develop them into a uniquetourism product for the province, he said.-VNA
VNA
