The continuous appearance of Bryde whale (a family of humpback whale) in the Gia Lai sea area (old Binh Dinh) this summer is not only an interesting ecological event but also a positive signal about the recovery of the marine ecosystem.
In the context of the marine environment being heavily damaged over the years, the regular appearance of this rare marine animal is the result of the entire process of improving water quality, food sources and subsistence conditions.
Whales are also called "Ong Ca" and "Ba Ca" by Vietnamese sea people, due to popular beliefs that they are sacred animals, venerated as a god at sea for their ability to help fishermen when their boats are in distress.
However, the Department of Agriculture and Environment of Gia Lai province has officially warned about the situation of tourist boats, canoes and spontaneous tours approaching elephants too close, even causing noise, creating stress and risking the elephants being injured or stranded.
This is a remarkable warning, not only because of the immediate risk to rare animals, but also because of a bigger lesson: if we do not develop tourism in a responsible direction, we will destroy the most valuable thing that nature has given us.
It is necessary to seriously consider that eco-tourism is not an exploitation of wild resources, but a form of development based on the principle of respecting and protecting the ecosystem.
Organizing spontaneous whale viewing tours, racing according to market demand and tourist tastes..., without the rule of biochemistry is a double-edged sword.
On the one hand, it attracts attention and creates short-term income, but on the other hand, it puts the whale - a symbol of the livelihood of a clean marine environment - in a state of danger.
In many countries, whale is considered an attractive form of tourism, but must strictly comply with biosafety standards: minimum distance, limited engine, limited number of ships, and training full-time tour guides.
If Gia Lai wants to build a marine brand associated with conservation, now is the time to introduce and apply a "golden rule" in approaching marine life.
Not every area in Vietnam has such a large and stable return of elephants. Therefore, Gia Lai has an extremely valuable soft advantage, both helping to elevate eco-tourism and raising awareness of marine conservation in the community.
However, if there is no urgent strategy and control policy early, Bryde elephants - which are sensitive to sound and environment, will soon leave without a date to return after human damage.
At that time, not only the tourism industry regrets but also the common loss of an entire ecosystem on the path of recovery.
The warning about whale that can be abandoned in Gia Lai should not stop at the document. And this is the right time for this locality to pilot the construction of a responsible tourism model towards nature, as a model for other localities with similar potential.
Do not let spontaneity and uncontrolled excitement of human be the reason why the biggest sea visitors, the "Ong fish" and "Ba fish", turn their backs.
