Nghe An seeks solutions to preserve rare animals in Pu Mat National Park

On November 16, Pu Mat National Park coordinated with the Center for Research and Conservation of Wildlife (Save Vietnam's Wildlife - SVW) to organize a workshop "Discussing solutions for economic development and raising awareness about wildlife protection".

The workshop aimed to find solutions to better conserve forest resources of Pu Mat National Park.

Delegates attending the workshop in Yen Khe commune. Photo: HT

More than 100 delegates including Chau Khe commune leaders, village officials and local communities attended the workshop. Previously, two workshops on the same topic were held in Yen Khe and Chi Khe communes on November 13 and 15, with more than 200 participants.

At the workshop, experts raised the current status of wildlife, the importance of protection, threats, as well as law enforcement efforts in Pu Mat National Park.

The workshop also devoted a full session for delegates and guests to discuss three main topics to find solutions for developing livelihoods for local communities, educating and raising awareness about forest resource protection, and promoting the role of influential people in the community.

Delegates discuss solutions. Photo: HT

According to Mr. Tran Xuan Cuong, Director of Pu Mat National Park, social studies show that local communities still depend heavily on forests for their livelihoods. “We realize that in addition to strengthening law enforcement, developing livelihoods will help people have a more stable life, thereby limiting the exploitation of natural resources in the forest,” Mr. Cuong said, adding that the workshop is a great opportunity to listen to the concerns and difficulties of the people, as well as to find the most practical solutions towards the common goal.

“We will try to mobilize all resources, seek practical solutions and support the implementation of local community proposals,” Mr. Cuong emphasized.

Local people view a photo exhibition on wildlife protection. Photo: HT

Meanwhile, Mr. Nguyen Van Thai - Director of the Center for Wildlife Research and Conservation said that hunting and using wild animals seriously affects the ecosystem in general and the biodiversity of Pu Mat National Park in particular.

“Protecting Pu Mat forest must come from the heart of each workshop participant as well as the children of Pu Mat forest. With the support and determination of the local government, Pu Mat National Park, as well as the consensus of the local community, we believe that we can restore the population of wildlife in the National Park; develop livelihoods, especially ecotourism, contributing to solving economic problems for the community living in the buffer zone,” said Mr. Thai.

From the comments of delegates and guests, Mr. Kha Van Thuong - Vice Chairman of Chau Khe Commune People's Committee said that in order to improve the living standards of local residents, it is necessary to develop promising economic models such as growing suitable crops, or raising livestock and poultry breeds that bring high economic efficiency.

In addition, the workshop also called on all delegates and guests to report illegal exploitation of forests, hunting, trading, captivity and consumption of wild animals via the hotline 0966 000 353. At the same time, it introduced a Facebook social networking site called "Protect Pu Mat forest with me" to raise awareness and support law enforcement work to protect forests locally.

Pu Mat National Park was upgraded from Pu Mat Nature Reserve to National Park according to Decision No. 174/2001/QD-TTg dated November 8, 2001 of the Prime Minister. Pu Mat is one of the three core zones of the World Biosphere Reserve in Western Nghe An, with a total area of ​​special-use forest of 94,715.4 ha and a total buffer zone area of ​​86,000 ha.

Pu Mat National Park is important for biodiversity and is home to many rare and endangered wildlife species that need to be prioritized for conservation.