Explore the 'green house'

(Baonghean) - In 2007, Western Nghe An was recognized by UNESCO as a World Biosphere Reserve. Over the past 10 years, by promoting its potential and advantages, the World Biosphere Reserve has made an important contribution to the overall development of the country.this area.

Preserve and promote resource values

According to the investigation results, the Western Nghe An Biosphere Reserve is where the vibrant flora systems of the East and West Truong Son ranges intersect in primeval forests at an altitude of 1,000-2,000m.

This “green house” gathers more than 2,500 species of higher plants, more than 1,000 species of animals, many of which are endemic species listed in the Red Book of Vietnam and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) such as: tigers, leopards, gaurs, saola, wild elephant populations, po mu, sa mu, lim, sen, tau... UNESCO evaluates Western Nghe An as one of the richest Biosphere Reserves in terms of biodiversity value and cultural identity among the 9 Biosphere Reserves of Vietnam.

Forest rangers survey forest protection work at Pu Hoat Nature Reserve. Photo: My Nga

This place is not only an attractive land for scientists but also an interesting destination for tourists who love to explore nature and unique cultural heritages with landscapes such as Khe Kem waterfall (Con Cuong), Sao Va waterfall, 7-storey waterfall (Que Phong), "heaven's gate" Muong Long (Ky Son). Historical relics with many unique and characteristic cultural features such as Chin Gian temple in Que Phong, Tra Lan citadel, Con Chua banyan tree in Con Cuong, Hang Bua festival in Quy Chau ...

The harmony between the majestic landscape of nature and people has posed a great responsibility for the Party Committee, the government, specialized sectors and the local community to effectively perform the three functions of the Biosphere Reserve: Conservation of diversity; socio-economic development; support and maintenance of cultural traditions, research, monitoring and environmental education.

In particular, maximizing the potential advantages of developing agriculture, forestry, tourism and services in areas with many economic and social difficulties in Nghe An province.

Enter with the spirit of "action"

After being recognized by UNESCO, in 2013, the Provincial People's Committee established the Management Board of the Western Nghe An Biosphere Reserve, creating a premise to coordinate and organize activities, thereby promoting the potential, advantages and values ​​of the Western Nghe An Biosphere Reserve with key tasks such as: Collecting information to build a database to serve the management and rational exploitation of natural resources; organizing propaganda, promoting the image and attracting investment in the Biosphere Reserve; building a sustainable development strategy based on the advantages and potential of the Biosphere Reserve.

People in Que Phong district grow seedlings for forest planting. Photo: My Nga

With a consistent viewpoint - the community is both the owner of the Biosphere Reserve and the main beneficiary of conservation and development activities, the Management Board has implemented many economic development and community livelihood projects linking localities with Pu Mat National Park and Pu Huong and Pu Hoat nature reserves.

Economic initiatives and alternative solutions are all aimed at green development, in which the Management Board is making efforts to implement the certification label of Western Nghe An Biosphere Reserve products for some typical local products.

Restoring and promoting traditional occupations of indigenous peoples is a direction for sustainable development. Photo: My Nga

After 10 years of operation, the Western Nghe An Biosphere Reserve has achieved many outstanding achievements in management and coordination of activities to ensure the objectives and functions of the Biosphere Reserve. In terms of nature, the diversity of species, genetic resources and ecosystem services is ensured. Forest protection and development work has been well implemented, with forest cover increasing from 54.2% in 2007 to 64.7% in 2016.

In the economic structure of the 9 districts of the Biosphere Reserve, forestry has a fairly increasing trend, reflected in the increased area of ​​production forests, increased value and output, and a strong shift from purely state forestry to social forestry with the participation of many economic sectors.

Tuong Duong cajuput forest. Photo: Tran Duy Ngoan

More impressively, at the regional and international levels, the Western Nghe An Biosphere Reserve is an active member of the Biosphere Reserve network of Vietnam, initially integrating and participating in the Biosphere Reserve network of Southeast Asia, Asia-Pacific and the world.

Comrade Dinh Viet Hong - Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee affirmed that the above results were achieved thanks to the attention from central agencies, ministries and branches and the close direction of Nghe An province with many specific mechanisms for the development of the Biosphere Reserve, and the support of domestic and foreign scientists.

In addition, the Management Board of the Biosphere Reserve has also made many efforts and initiatives to mobilize the consensus, solidarity and unity of the people of all ethnic groups in the Western Nghe An region. In the next phase, the Biosphere Reserve needs to continue to strongly promote its unique advantages, continue to set the goal of sustainable development of the Biosphere Reserve in the context of global climate change associated with the socio-economic development of the Western region.

Thousand-year-old Sa mu tree. Photo: Tran Duy Ngoan

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