As much as VND23 billion (US$11 million) has been earmarked to plant and preserve trees at Upper U Minh National Park in the southern province of Kien Giang till 2015.
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According to Le Hoang Huong, director of the park, up to 8,500 ha of land will be planted with the aim of restoring, balancing and improving the ecosystem in the park, which has been hurt by natural disasters and human devastation.
Melaleuca cabujuti forest (Rung Tram) and its biodiversity is a particular cause for concern due to the fact that over 1,000 ha of Melaleuca cabujuti forest has been severely damaged since a devastating forest fire in 2002.
Huong said the large fire destroyed a great number of the forest's Melaleuca trees, causing the forest to become overflooded and preventing baby Melaleuca trees from developing, despite this species being renowned for its strong root system which can thrive in salt water and alkaline soil.
Upper U Minh National Park was listed as part of the World Biosphere Reserve in Kien Giang by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) in 2006.
The park, habitat to hundreds of precious fauna and flora species, covers two communes of Upper U Minh District, with an area of nearly 21,000 ha.