Discover the Western Nghe An Biosphere Reserve

(Baonghean) - Recognized on September 18, 2007, the Western Nghe An Biosphere Reserve has the largest area in Southeast Asia. To contribute to the preservation and promotion of the value of this biosphere reserve, one of the top priorities is to strengthen communication, promotion, and investment attraction.

Abundant potential

The Western Nghe An Biosphere Reserve covers a total area of ​​1.3 million hectares across nine districts. It is the largest biosphere reserve in Southeast Asia, a convergence point of diverse flora and fauna, boasting high biodiversity and significant conservation value. It is home to 70 plant species and 80 animal species listed in the Vietnamese Red Book. Among these are many rare and endemic species such as the saola, the brown-footed langur, the oil palm, and a large population of wild elephants.

Visiting the scenic Khe Kèm waterfall (Pù Mát, Con Cuông).

This area is also a blend of geographical features, with many natural caves and waterfalls such as Sao Va waterfall in Que Phong; Kem waterfall in Con Cuong; Tien stream and hot springs in Tan Ky; Tham Bua cave - a national scenic spot in Quy Chau; and is also the long-standing home of six ethnic groups: Thai, Dan Lai, Kho Mu, O Du, Mong, and Kinh, among which the O Du is the smallest ethnic group among the 54 ethnic groups of Vietnam and is found only in Nghe An.

The Nine-Chamber Temple Festival (Que Phong) - a unique cultural feature within the Biosphere Reserve.

The Western Nghe An Biosphere Reserve boasts numerous historical sites with unique cultural features, such as the Tra Lan Citadel, the Ma Nhai stele, the Con Chua banyan tree in Con Cuong, the Nine-Room Temple in Que Phong, and the Lang Vac archaeological site in Thai Hoa town. These sites preserve many customs, traditions, folk songs and dances, traditional crafts, culinary culture, costumes, and stilt house architecture, all reflecting a distinct cultural heritage.

Tourists visit the pristine Săng Lẻ forest in the Biosphere Reserve. Photo: Sỹ Minh

Nevertheless, understanding of the Biosphere Reserve and its value in social life, especially in the socio-economic development of the local area, remains limited among the majority of the people and commune/village officials in the region. Therefore, people lack awareness and proactive action in preserving the values ​​of the Biosphere Reserve, particularly in protecting the environment and ecosystem. Illegal logging, burning, and clearing of forests for farming still occur in some areas within the buffer zone. Most of the reserve's potential and advantages have yet to attract large-scale investment and exploitation projects.

Attracting investment and exploiting resources.

Following its establishment, the Management Board of the Western Nghe An Biosphere Reserve proactively advised on and implemented various activities, focusing on strengthening the strategy of propaganda, promotion, and investment attraction. The activities strongly focused on building a database linked to raising awareness among officials and the public, promoting the image, potential, and advantages of the area to attract investment projects.

In 2015, the Management Board undertook the construction of a database on resources, ecology, environment, culture, and socio-economic natural conditions of Western Nghe An; a Biosphere Reserve map showing existing plans according to layers (land use, biological resources, cultural resources, geographical indications of local brands, tours - tourist destinations); a list of focal agencies at the provincial and district levels for storing information; copies of existing programs, projects, and plans in Western Nghe An; and audio-visual materials and films.

A reporter from Nghe An Newspaper on assignment in the core area of ​​Pu Mat National Park. Photo: Reporter.

The dataset is stored (hard copy, soft copy, CD) at the Management Board's office, facilitating the updating and publication on electronic information pages, serving as a foundation for informing, promoting, and publicizing the potential, advantages, and image of the Biosphere Reserve to a wide range of people. Prior to this, the Management Board of the Western Nghe An Biosphere Reserve had also developed and launched an electronic information page to disseminate and promote the potential, advantages, image, activities, and to publish research projects, survey results, support operational management, and attract investment to the Biosphere Reserve.

In addition, the Management Board has carried out a series of practical activities such as: compiling, printing, and distributing the "Handbook on the Western Nghe An Biosphere Reserve," introducing concepts of the biosphere reserve, the structure and operation of the Management Board; the values ​​(natural resources, culture) and preferential policies to attract investment into the biosphere reserve. They also developed and announced a logo representing the biosphere reserve; designed commemorative items, badges, and crystal emblems featuring the biosphere reserve logo.

Saola in Pu Mat National Park, part of the Biosphere Reserve.

In particular, the dissemination of information was carried out through various media channels, including: the documentary "Biosphere Reserve as a competitive advantage for agricultural and forestry products in Western Nghe An in the context of TPP integration", "Potential advantages of the Biosphere Reserve",... which were broadcast many times on Nghe An television; and the organization of many thematic articles in mainstream newspapers (Nghe An Newspaper; Lao Dong Newspaper and Vietnam Agriculture Newspaper).

The promotion is not only disseminated through print and television but also through electronic information channels. Many news articles about the Western Nghe An Biosphere Reserve published in newspapers such as Vietnamnet, Dan Tri, Nghe An Newspaper, the General Department of Forestry, the University of Forestry, the Journal of Biology, and the Vietnam Museum of Nature... are also uploaded to the province's electronic portal and the websites of departments, agencies, national parks, and the People's Committees of districts within the Biosphere Reserve.

Traveling along the Giang River into Pu Mat National Park. Photo: Sy Minh

In addition, promotional activities are also carried out in the form of billboards and posters, such as: X-frame posters introducing the history and structure of the biosphere reserve, placed at the headquarters of member units, in crowded places such as airports, train stations, schools, and provided to workshops.

Relevant departments and agencies are working with the management board of Pù Mát National Park.

Investment promotion activities also received special attention. The Biosphere Reserve Management Board leveraged the technical and financial support of the Forest and Delta Project (VFD) to develop, attract investment, and organize surveys and community consultations; it also held a provincial-level workshop in September 2015 with invited representatives from the Vietnam MAB Committee, the Biodiversity Conservation Department, and successful biosphere reserves such as Cat Ba, Kien Giang.

Simultaneously, focus on developing the project dossier for "Conservation and Development of the Western Nghe An Biosphere Reserve," which is included in the list of "National Key Projects calling for foreign investment until 2020."

By doing so, the initial steps have raised awareness and responsibility among local officials and people, especially ethnic minorities in the Biosphere Reserve area, regarding forest protection, biodiversity conservation, and preservation of traditional culture, thereby contributing to sustainable socio-economic development.

Notably, with the involvement of the people and the government in 2015, several cases of illegal logging were brought to public trial, creating a positive effect and contributing to preventing illegal logging in the high mountainous districts.

Communication efforts have also contributed to bringing the concept of biosphere reserves and their inherent values ​​closer to the community, making biosphere reserves an advantage in attracting investment to the western part of Nghe An province.

With that positive start, central ministries, departments, and related organizations have shown interest in investing in the conservation and development of the Western Nghe An Biosphere Reserve. The Ministry of Science and Technology has approved the list of projects for "Building an open nature and culture museum" in the Western Nghe An Biosphere Reserve according to Decision 1850/QD-BKHCN. The project, led by the Vietnam Museum of Nature, is expected to be implemented in Pu Mat National Park based on upgrading the existing museum, with the idea of ​​connecting botanical gardens and wildlife rescue centers.

Chau Khe Border Guard Post (Con Cuong) cooperates with the Forest Protection Unit of Pu Mat National Park to patrol the border and protect the forest.

Organizations, universities, NGOs... specifically the Vietnam Museum of Nature, Vinh University, the Nghe An Science and Technology Association, and the Nghe An Forestry Development Center have collaborated with the locality in scientific research and biodiversity conservation, proposing programs and projects in the area, including a proposal for the Project on Conservation and Development of Medicinal Plants and Heritage Trees in the Western Nghe An Biosphere Reserve.

Sea Swallow