Nghe An launches series of programs 'say no to using wild animals of natural origin'

On May 31, the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Nghe An province coordinated with agencies and units in the province to organize an event to launch the program series "Say no to using wild animals of natural origin".

Speaking at the event, Mr. Nguyen Van De - Director of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Nghe An province said that the program series "Say no to using wild animals of natural origin" is an activity to implement Resolution No. 18/2020/NQ-HDND of the People's Council of Nghe An province. This is an important activity, aiming to change the awareness, thinking and habits of using wild animals of natural origin of all cadres and people in the province. Through the implementation of the program, the Department's leaders hope to receive the consensus and support of Party committees, authorities, agencies, units, cadres, civil servants, public employees and all people.

Delegates at the event. Photo: Tien Hung

Meanwhile, Mr. Le Van Tam - Head of Propaganda - Press - Publishing Department, Propaganda Department of Nghe An Provincial Party Committee said that protecting wildlife is the responsibility of every citizen. In order for every individual to understand and act properly to contribute to preserving and restoring the country's biodiversity, propaganda work needs to be promoted. In particular, focusing on propaganda through close and easily accessible information channels such as television, social networks, billboards and posters... "We will accompany the program series "Say no to using wild animals of natural origin" to strongly spread conservation messages to every cadre and citizen. In addition, it is necessary to proactively participate and respond positively from units, businesses, families and individuals to create a trend of refusing to use products from wild animals", Mr. Tam said.

At the event, 50 delegates were informed of the spirit and agreed with the content and plan to implement the series of programs and responded to the series of activities to refuse illegal wildlife products.

Mr. Nguyen Van De spoke at the event. Photo: Tien Hung

The program series “Say no to using wild animals of natural origin” takes place from November 2021 to the end of December 2022. With 9 main activities, the Program series targets all cadres, party members, civil servants, public employees, students, and people in Vinh city and 3 districts of Dien Chau, Yen Thanh, and Quynh Luu.

On the same day, Nghe An Provincial Forest Protection Department coordinated with the Center for Wildlife Conservation in Vietnam (Save Vietnam's Wildlife - SVW) to organize a workshop on "Strengthening inter-sectoral cooperation in combating hunting, trading, consumption and use of wild animals in Nghe An province". This is an important and practical workshop to discuss and find solutions for close coordination between agencies, departments and branches in Nghe An province to better implement wildlife conservation, prevent and strictly handle acts of hunting, trading, consumption and use of wild animals of natural origin in the province.

More than 40 delegates representing Nghe An Provincial Forest Protection Department, Environmental Police Department - Provincial Police; Market Management Department; Customs Department; Provincial Military Command; Pu Mat National Park; Pu Huong Nature Reserve; Pu Hoat Nature Reserve; representatives of 21 units under the Forest Protection Department and the Mobile Forest Protection & Forest Fire Prevention Team attended the workshop.

Delegates attending the workshop. Photo: Tien Hung

Within the framework of the workshop, delegates spent time discussing three main contents: Strengthening the arrest of illegal trading, wildlife dealers and speculators; Strengthening the handling of related violations after confiscation and arrest; Strengthening propaganda and education, raising awareness, changing people's behavior to prevent illegal hunting, trading, use, transportation, storage and advertising of wildlife.

Mr. Tran Xuan Cuong presented a paper at the workshop. Photo: Tien Hung

Mr. Nguyen Anh Tuan - Deputy Head of Nghe An Provincial Forest Protection Department said that the system of legal documents and regulations on biodiversity protection and nature conservation has been fully promulgated by the State, however, the implementation of coordination between agencies, units and localities in the fight against violations of wildlife management is sometimes limited in some places. Violations of regulations on wildlife management among some groups of people still occur due to the customs and habits of using wild animal products among the people that have not been completely eliminated. Therefore, the workshop hopes to receive many contributions and practical breakthrough ideas in inter-sectoral coordination between agencies and units organizing wildlife conservation in Nghe An to improve wildlife conservation.

Mr. Tran Xuan Cuong - Director of Pu Mat National Park said that the Wildlife Conservation Center in Vietnam has cooperated with the park since 2018 to carry out many activities of rescuing and rehabilitating wildlife and protecting forests.

“In the coming time, our wish is to coordinate not only with Pu Mat National Park but also with all agencies and functional units in Nghe An province to help strengthen wildlife protection. I believe that the biodiversity and precious natural resources of the country in general and Nghe An province in particular will be fully protected if we all work together to act first. Let's not eat and condemn the use of wild animals of natural origin,” said Mr. Nguyen Van Thai - Director of the Wildlife Conservation Center in Vietnam.

At the end of the workshop, delegates agreed on 13 key tasks for the coming time.