Besides being the tourist attraction of Sierra Leone, the turquoise lagoon with palm trees here is also a seasonal breeding ground for fish and turtles. In May, however, the Sierra Leone government announced plans to build a fishing port and processing complex in the village. The project has raised concerns about its devastating effects on the local landscape, threatening animal species and polluting the environment. AFP . Black Johnson is the proposed site for the construction of an industrial harbor in Sierra Leone. Photo: Handout. Consequences of China’s “investment” Sierra Leone’s Fisheries Ministry said China is funding a $55 million project to build a fishing port to create jobs and support the local fishing industry in the poor country. But, instead of winning praise, Beijing’s actions are causing controversy in the African country. Mr. Tommy Gbandewa, also known as Tito, the owner of the eco-lodge, is leading the opposition to the plan to build on green plots. “If the Chinese come here, the environment will stink. The beaches will stink,” he said. “The water here will be dirty because of engine oil and a lot of noise, fishing boats will be everywhere.” This controversy is at the heart of a longstanding source of tension in Sierra Leone, between development advocates and conservationists on the other. Opposition is heightened as the government is looking to promote ecotourism to boost its economy. Eco-lodge owner Tommy Gbandewa is leading the charge against a Chinese-funded harbor construction plan. Photo: AFP. Sierra Leone is one of the world’s poorest countries and is still recovering from a civil war that claimed the lives of about 120,000 people nearly two decades ago. Although there are rich fishing grounds, the exploitation of fishery resources in this country is still limited. Not only that, according to Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Fisheries, in May, there were about 140 foreign fishing boats catching the country’s fish. These ship owners then processed and sold Sierra Leone’s seafood abroad “with little or no benefit to Sierra Leone”. Even so, despite receiving Beijing’s funding to build a modern fishing pier, the ambiguity in the implementation plan made locals wary. Some believe that the Chinese investors intend to build the fishmeal factory, although the government of Sierra Leone has denied the allegation with AFP . In recent times, a series of fishmeal factories have mushroomed along the West African coast. These factories harvest large quantities of seafood and often release foul-smelling waste, polluting water sources, wreaking havoc on the local environment and hindering tourism development. The fishmeal factory emits toxic waste that is a threat to local communities in Sierra Leone. Photo: Handout. Fishermen’s association spokesman Wudie Bakie Koroma said he would support the harbor construction if taken seriously. “If the fishmeal production (factory) is included in the project, we will firmly oppose it,” he stressed. Against this backdrop, the Chinese diplomat in the capital Freetown Du Zijun announced that the new Chinese-invested project is to build a harbor, not a “fishmeal factory”. “The accusations of not caring about protecting the environment and destroying the ecological environment are purely sensational hypothetical information,” he added. “We have a right to the land” Immediately after the news that the government signed a $ 55 million agreement with Beijing for China to build a project on 100 hectares of exposed sea and forest, locals have repeatedly petitioned to reverse the government’s decision. Mr. Tito said discontent was widespread. Government officials arrived with armed men to survey the construction site. “But I’m Sierra Leone and I have a right to the land,” Mr Tito said. In the wake of the controversy, Fisheries Minister Emma Kowa Jalloh, on a recent visit to the Black Johnson village, promised landowners would be compensated. According to the minister, the Chinese government will provide “subsidy” to build the project, while the government of Sierra Leone invests with land. Half of the required land area is owned by the state, the rest will be taken through the decision to acquire. “We are not occupying land,” she said, noting that the project was “very necessary” to create jobs for thousands of people. The new project is expected to be built in the village of Black Johnson. Photo: AFP. However, Dr Sama Banya, honorary president of the Sierra Leone Conservation Society, said the project would have a “catastrophic” impact on tourism and the fishing industry. Environmental NGO Green Scenery accused the government of failing to properly account for the project’s environmental impact and urged the plan to be scrapped. “Black Johnson is the only ecotourism site left in Freetown, we need to protect it,” said organization director Joseph Rahall. However, not all locals are against the harbor planning. Village chief Pa Lamin Kargbo said the port could help improve places where people still face daily shortages of water, electricity and schools. He explained that much of the friction with the government is due to a lack of dialogue. “We are calling for a peaceful resolution of the problem, so that everyone is a winner,” he said.

Mangrove forest in Dong Rui commune has just been restored. The sky began to recede, the tide receded into the sandy beach. Nguyen Thi Phuong and many people in Ha hamlet, Dong Rui commune carried hoe down to Bay Mau hill to dig deep soil (also known as sea worms). The hills are locally called but are actually newly restored mangrove forests running along the commune’s dike. In order to catch earthworms, Ms. Phuong bends down and always has to observe, look for extrusions and then quickly dig up the correct strokes. In just a moment, Ms. Phuong’s basket was full of large earthworms…. In every waking season, the commune’s mangrove forest is always an address for people in Dong Rui commune to make a living, especially since the time when they wake up. outbreak of Covid-19 to date. Phuong said: “In the past, these lagoons were covered, the tiger trees and parrots died without any children. Now there are worms, clams, twilight, stilts. On these trees, snails turn out, clinging to the tree to live. As long as there is a tree, there is life, and if you go to the sea, you can make a living. From the elderly to children, most of them make their living from the sea. Students also earn 100,000-150,000 VND every day. Ms. Nguyen Thi Phuong from Ha village digs earthworms at Bay Mau hill, Dong Rui commune. Far away from where Ms. Nguyen Thi Phuong digs deep into the ground are primeval mangrove forests with black tiger trees, parrots, and mammoth trees that are too high for a person’s head, spreading like raspberries in the shadow of the water. To go to these forests, you have to wait for the water to grow and travel by bamboo boat to reach the tiger trees and parrots that have a lifespan of more than a hundred years. Mr. Nong Van Chien, a resident of Tien Yen said: “In the period of 2010, there was no gas at that time, fuel was limited. People go to the forest to chop down for fuel. In 2013, there was a movement to make shrimp ponds. Everywhere they see zoning, they clear many hectares of forest to make shrimp ponds. Then they realized because the forest was cut down and then due to waves, storms and wind, it greatly affected people’s lives.” After the damage caused by widespread deforestation, new planting projects to fill in the cleared area have been promoted by NGOs and sectors at all levels, increasing the vitality of Dong Rui mangrove forest. . After a while, the vegetation has revived, rising steadily. Under the tree are green fishes, the wider the crabs, the symbiotic snails like affirming the intense vitality of the plants on the mangroves. To protect this forest area, a mangrove management team of Dong Rui commune was established with 3 people, who are responsible for coordinating with forest rangers to patrol, control and remind people to protect the forest. Mr. Hoang Van Thong (62 years old), Leader of the Mangrove Self-Management Group in Dong Rui Commune, said that people now realize the economic values ​​and voluntarily participate in mangrove protection. Under the tree are green fishes, the wider the crabs, the more symbiotic and growing snails. “The three of us regularly check and wade deep into the forest to see if there is any change in the status quo? There is also a lot of reforestation. Since then, people’s awareness has been raised and they know that protecting forests is protecting aquatic resources, especially when being propagated. People here are encouraged to plant forests, they really like it. Many times when they go to the forest, they see newly planted trees leaning against them, “said Thong. Dong Rui is considered one of the most beautiful mangrove forests in the North today with nearly 3,000 hectares, accounting for more than half of the commune’s natural land area. Since being managed and protected closely, the forest is green and lush, resulting in more and more diverse and rich seafood resources. Many households here have a stable income by fishing in the mangroves. The mangrove ecosystem of Dong Rui commune is very diverse and rich in the number of tree species, the ecosystem, and the aquatic species with high economic value such as crabs, crabs, and fish species that bring profit. and good livelihood for the people. Mr. Loc Van Sinh, Secretary of the Party Committee, Chairman of the Commune People’s Committee said that the management of the commune is less difficult than before because there are people in the community. Dong Rui Crab “In the last two years, the commune has planted 25-30 hectares of new mangrove forests to develop mangrove forests in the area. The important role of mangroves has been recognized, both protecting the national breakwater and having aquatic resources. products under the forest canopy to give people a daily income. In order to soon develop the mangroves in the future, it is suggested that the province and the authorities arrange funding sources for the self-managing groups to operate in the future.” Mr. Sinh information. The practical lesson of the negative impacts of mangrove destruction has led people and local authorities in Quang Ninh province to change their awareness and join hands to plant and protect mangroves. The young people of Dong Rui commune now have many new options such as working as workers, opening trading services, but most people in Dong Rui island commune still cling to the sea, cultivate seafood, and stick to mangroves to stay alive. subsistence. The wealth of mangroves is helping the people of Dong Rui change their lives and realize the vital values ​​​​if they work together to “symbiotically” protect the “green lungs” on the island.

Ta Ma Stream has warm water, not as cool as other streams, the water flowing under the ancient trees shading colorful flowers. The stream is clear all year round, gurgling through each large and small rock.

The colors of the flowers light up in the sky. Photo: Le Hong Son

Around the beginning of March every year, the forest flowers begin to bloom. However, according to local people, this year is the first time, hundreds of ancient forest sites growing naturally on the Ta Ma stream longer than 1km in length bloom in unison, highlighting the whole area during the past decades .

Photo: Le Hong Son

The old trees in the forest bloomed blocks of yellow, orange, and red flowers, covering the whole stream. The flowers sway in the wind, creating a poetic scene. The large and flat rocks are chosen by many tourists as a place to stop for taking photos and capturing beautiful moments.

The forest flower is also known as the water flower. Photo: Le Hong Son

The forest pages are in full bloom. Photo: Le Hong Son

According to local people, the trees here are hundreds of years old. Photo: Le Hong Son

The flowers are intertwined. Photo: Le Hong Son

The number of visitors pouring in is very large, especially on weekends, so you can consider coming here on weekdays. This place is completely in harmony with the course so there will be no changing rooms, so you should be proactive about this.

The road must cross the suspension bridge, there is a broken wire so you should pay attention not to stand on the suspension bridge when crowded. Photo: Dinh Hung

The Bana community contributes greatly in preserving the original beauty of this place. Photo: Fanpage Suoi Ta Ma

However, due to the sudden increase in the number of tourists, the landscape here is being affected. Quite a lot of tourists are not conscious, littering indiscriminately, setting fire to roast food near the tree stumps, causing the fire to catch fire, causing fire to stem, branches and flowers.

Beautiful scene, clear water, spoiled for taking pictures. After eating, remember to clean up the trash you brought up! The forest gives us a beautiful view, “take nothing away but photos, leave nothing but footprints”.

Photo: Fanpage Suoi Ta Ma