Protecting and promoting the value of the natural heritage of the Western Nghe An Biosphere Reserve.
Contributing to the discussion on measures to enhance the effectiveness of the Western Nghe An Biosphere Reserve Management Board, representatives from various departments, sectors, and localities proposed many practical ideas to continue protecting and effectively promoting the value of the province's natural heritage; especially the implementation of livelihood models under the forest canopy.
On December 26th, the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, in coordination with relevant agencies and units, organized a conference to summarize the activities of the BR Project and the results of the tasks performed by the Office of the Management Board of the Western Nghe An Biosphere Reserve in 2024, and to set directions for 2025.
Attending the meeting were Mr. Bui Xuan Truong - Director of the BR Project Management Board, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment; representatives of the People's Committees of districts and communes, and relevant agencies and units. Mr. Nguyen Danh Hung - Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Deputy Head of the Management Board of the Western Nghe An Biosphere Reserve, chaired the meeting.
The Management Board of the Western Nghe An Biosphere Reserve is responsible for managing and coordinating activities to better meet the 7 UNESCO criteria for World Biosphere Reserves; and to effectively promote the 3 functions of the Biosphere Reserve (conservation, support, and development).
In 2024, the Office of the Management Board of the Western Nghe An Biosphere Reserve successfully completed its tasks, especially coordinating the implementation of many effective programs and projects. Notable examples include coordinating scientific research aimed at improving the efficiency of forest environmental service provision; evaluating and proposing solutions for implementing the Sustainable Forestry Development Program in the Western Nghe An Biosphere Reserve; supporting the implementation of biodiversity conservation and species conservation activities in Ky Son district; and supporting the development of livelihood models in the Western Nghe An Biosphere Reserve...
In particular, special attention will be paid to coordinating the implementation of the project "Integrating natural resource management and biodiversity conservation objectives into socio-economic development planning and management of biosphere reserves in Vietnam" (abbreviated as BR project).
The BR project is funded by the Global Environment Fund through the United Nations Development Programme and implemented over 5 years (from 2019-2024), by the Department of Nature Conservation and Biodiversity, under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment.
The project will be implemented in Hanoi and three Biosphere Reserves: Cu Lao Cham Biosphere Reserve in Quang Nam province, Dong Nai Biosphere Reserve in Dong Nai province, and Western Nghe An Biosphere Reserve.
At the conference, delegates representing various agencies, units, and localities offered many insightful opinions and suggestions to further enhance the effectiveness of coordinated efforts in achieving common goals and tasks, thereby contributing to the preservation and promotion of the natural heritage values of the Western Nghe An Biosphere Reserve.
Many delegates expressed their desire for the Biosphere Reserve Management Board, as well as relevant localities and units with their own functions and responsibilities, to actively coordinate and implement measures to promote the value of the province's world biosphere reserve.
Priority will be given to areas such as: replicating successful livelihood models; strengthening communication efforts; enhancing linkages, exchanges, and sharing among localities, agencies, units, and organizations in related activities; and supporting the development of community tourism in the core and buffer zones of the Biosphere Reserve…
The Western Nghe An Biosphere Reserve spans over 2,000 villages and hamlets in the mountainous region of the province, with a population of over 1 million people. The core zone of the Biosphere Reserve is located in 21 communes with a population of 119,377 people, accounting for 11.31% of the total population of the reserve. This area contains special-use forests of exceptional natural value, serving as a model for ecosystems and biodiversity. The buffer zone of the Western Nghe An Biosphere Reserve is located in 68 communes, with a population of approximately 248,219 people, and still retains many areas with high biodiversity value.
