Authorities in the northern city of Hai Duong have invested VND1.4 billion (US$66,000) in upgrading the Stork Island ecological tourism site.

According to Nguyen Duc Minh, Chairman of People's Committee of Chi Lang Nam Commune, the fund would be spent on building a new concrete road, parking lot and infrastructure upgrades at the site.

"The need of embankment to protect the islands where the storks and night herons reside is a more pressing concern because without embankment large chunks of earth keep falling off the islands bringing down trees, particularly during rainy seasons," he said.

"Yet, there is still nothing in the budget put aside for this purpose."

The land erosion would gradually shrink areas inhabited by the birds, he added.

Stork Island is a popular eco-tourism site in northern Viet Nam, located in the middle of An Duong Lake and spanning across 20ha.

The small islands are also currently home to about 15.000 storks, 5.000 night herons and a wide range of other bird species.

The project is currently underway to prepare for a ceremony to receive the official Certificate of National Relic Site awarded to the site. The event is scheduled to take place at the end of October. — VNS