Western Nghe An Biosphere Reserve: Affirming its brand to the world

(Baonghean) - In 2007, Western Nghe An was recognized by UNESCO as a World Biosphere Reserve (WBR). This is not only the largest WBR in Vietnam, with scientific and environmental value, but also has a strong cultural, humanistic and historical identity that needs to be preserved and developed.

Over the past 10 years, the World Biosphere Reserve has made an important contribution to the overall development of the Western region in particular and Nghe An province in general.

The forest of casuarinas in Tuong Duong district. Photo: PV

Western Nghe An is a place with abundant resources, beautiful natural landscapes and high biodiversity; in particular, there are 3 special-use forests: Pu Mat National Park, Pu Huong Nature Reserve, Pu Hoat Nature Reserve with many ecosystems, rich and diverse flora and fauna.

Many rare species have conservation significance for both Vietnam and the world such as Asian elephants, Saola, Truong Son mang... In addition, there are many tree species and plant populations recognized as Vietnam heritage trees.

In addition, there are many cultural relics, historical sites, and festivals imbued with the unique cultural traditions of the six ethnic groups, creating a diverse and unique cultural identity. In addition, this area also has many majestic and unique natural landscapes and many famous landscapes.

The recognition of the Western Nghe An Biosphere Reserve is of great significance to Nghe An province, and can be seen as a "brand" of biodiversity and cultural identity of the Western Nghe An region; recognition of the achievements in forest protection, environmental protection, protection and preservation of traditional national identity in the area by the people, local authorities and functional agencies.

This event is opening up new opportunities for the conservation of special-use forests in Nghe An. When recognized as a Biosphere Reserve, it means that we have registered with the world a "brand" of biodiversity and diversity of national cultural identity.

Realizing that, after being recognized by UNESCO, Nghe An province has always focused on protecting the ecological environment, protecting forests, conserving biodiversity associated with preserving traditional cultural values ​​of ethnic minorities, as a foundation for sustainable socio-economic development.

Accordingly, Nghe An Forestry Department has advised the Provincial People's Committee to strengthen the direction to better manage and protect forests, bringing the Management Boards of protective forests, special-use forests, conservation areas, national parks and forest rangers into increasingly active and effective operations.

Thanks to that, special-use forests and basic protection forests are protected and developed well. In particular, the establishment of the Management Board of the Biosphere Reserve includes 25 members who are leaders of provincial departments, branches, and sectors, the People's Committees of 9 Western districts, and directors of 3 special-use forests.

The Management Board has established strict operating regulations to mobilize combined strength in all activities to perform the functions of the Biosphere Reserve: Conservation, socio-economic development, support for scientific research and education activities.

One of the key activities is that the Management Board has built the project "Conservation and development of the Western Nghe An Biosphere Reserve" and has been added to the list of national key projects according to Decision No. 631/QD-TTg issued on April 29, 2014 by the Prime Minister to facilitate the attraction of resources.

Rowing on the Giang River. Photo: TL

After 10 years of construction and development, the Western Nghe An Biosphere Reserve has achieved many important results. Conservation and development activities in the Biosphere Reserve have created new environmentally friendly and climate change-adaptive livelihoods in the core zone, buffer zone and transition zone, as shown in: people have income from contracting to care for and protect forests, plant production forests, restore and develop traditional occupations such as brocade weaving, making rattan and bamboo handicrafts, developing community tourism (homestay services, transporting tourists, tour guides, developing livestock, growing local specialty plants and animals such as raising Nit pigs, Quy ducks, growing bon bo trees, Quy cinnamon, yellow flower tea, etc.).

Dozens of effective livelihoods have made important contributions to improving income and living standards for households; the poverty rate of districts in the DTSQ Area in 2016 compared to 2010 decreased by 2.3 - 5.2% per year; the economic structure of sectors in districts in the Western Nghe An region has changed. Specifically, the agriculture - forestry sector decreased by 7.53%, industry and construction increased by 1.51%; the service sector increased by 6.02%.

The reserve also contributes to a strong shift from purely state forestry to social forestry with the participation of many economic sectors; economic forest models are replicated (forests for raw materials of wood, paper, plywood) such as cinnamon forests in Que Phong, Quy Chau; the system of protective forests and special-use forests such as Pu Mat National Park, Pu Huong Nature Reserve, Pu Hoat are well protected.

At the same time, activities to preserve and promote the values ​​of the Biosphere Reserve have always been focused on. Many ancient trees and groups of ancient trees such as the Indian laurel tree, the Indian laurel tree, the Indian laurel tree, the Indian laurel tree, etc. have been recorded and proposed to the Vietnam Association for Conservation of Nature and Environment to recognize them as Vietnamese heritage trees; this is not only meaningful in terms of biodiversity conservation, but also contributes to promoting tourism development in localities in the Western Nghe An region.

Many scientific research activities have been implemented with practical results. The efforts of the Biosphere Reserve over the past 10 years have contributed to preserving the biodiversity value of the Biosphere Reserve, reflected in the diversity of species, genetic resources and ecosystems.

At the same time, becoming a Biosphere Reserve has contributed significantly to the management, conservation and local cultural values. The diversity and rich cultural identity of ethnic minority groups is the greatest characteristic and pride of the Western Nghe An region.

Many historical and cultural relics (temples, pagodas, festivals) have been restored and are developing well by mobilizing resources in the form of socialization such as: Choong Temple Relic and Festival (Quy Hop District), Chin Gian Temple Festival (Que Phong District), Van - Cua Rao Temple (Tuong Duong District)...

Community cultural activities in the Western region of Nghe An. Photo: TL

To achieve such results, over the past 10 years, in addition to the efforts of the Management Board, there has also been the drastic participation of local authorities and people. Over the past 10 years, the Western Nghe An Biosphere Reserve has become a strong "brand" in terms of both biodiversity and cultural identity of ethnic groups in the eyes of people across the country and the international community.

In the coming time, the province will strengthen propaganda work, and at the same time review and supplement the management regulations of the Biosphere Reserve towards sustainable development; develop a long-term development strategy for the Biosphere Reserve and a specific management plan for each stage according to an interdisciplinary and ecosystem-based approach, with the participation of all stakeholders to facilitate the implementation of activities in a synchronous and integrated manner in the operational plans of each sector; promote the quality economic program, focusing on developing local specialty products; promote the brand of the Biosphere Reserve through certification labels; strengthen domestic and international cooperation, mobilize investment resources, support capacity building for conservation and sustainable development of the Western Nghe An World Biosphere Reserve...

All with the goal of maintaining and developing the rich biodiversity value of the area; preserving and promoting the unique and diverse cultural identity of 5 ethnic minority groups living in the area; establishing and maintaining the biodiversity corridor connecting 3 core areas; building the Biosphere Reserve into a sustainable development model, contributing to the implementation of the sustainable development goals of Nghe An province, of the country and contributing to the implementation of the sustainable development goals of the United Nations.

Nguyen Tien Lam

(Deputy Director of Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Deputy Head of Management Board of Western Nghe An Biosphere Reserve)