Say 'No' to hydropower projects in the Western Nghe An Biosphere Reserve
(Baonghean.vn) - That is the opinion of Mr. Nguyen Anh Tuan - Director of the Institute for Tourism Development Research at the workshop "Promoting the potential and advantages of the Western Nghe An Biosphere Reserve"for sustainable development of agriculture, forestry, tourism and services" took place on April 12, in Con Cuong district.
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| The conference was attended by more than 100 delegates, including many leaders of central and local sectors. Photo: Tien Hung |
Attending the workshop were Mr. Tran Dinh Thien - Director of the Central Institute of Economics; Mr. Nguyen Hoang Tri - Chairman of the National Committee for the Vietnam Human and Biosphere Program; Mr. Nguyen Anh Tuan - Director of the Institute for Tourism Development Research and representatives of relevant ministries and branches. On the side of Nghe An province, there were comrade Le Quang Huy - Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee; Dinh Viet Hong - Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee and Head of the Management Board of the Western Nghe An Biosphere Reserve; representatives of leaders of a number of departments, branches and 9 western districts. |
At the workshop, delegates enthusiastically discussed to identify priority management solutions to preserve and develop the values of the reserve, while promoting the development of ecotourism.
Highly appreciating the potential of the Western Nghe An Biosphere Reserve, Mr. Nguyen Hoang Tri - Chairman of the National Committee for the Vietnam Man and Biosphere Program said that, during the 10 years since being recognized by UNESCO, Nghe An has preserved the flora and fauna in this area very well, including very rare species.
Professor Tri also shared many lessons learned related to management; and made some recommendations to provincial leaders.
Along with that, Mr. Nguyen Anh Tuan - Director of the Institute for Tourism Development Research stated that conservation and development in these areas must always go hand in hand. "No priority is given to any goal. We should not develop hastily without finding a way to conserve. That is sustainable development" - Mr. Tuan said and believed that Nghe An should say no to hydropower projects in this Biosphere Reserve because the harmful effects of hydropower are very large.
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| Tourists experience eco-tourism on Giang River. Photo courtesy of Nghe An Newspaper |
Showing images of a series of roads in the world built just for animals and images of animals being hit and killed by trains and cars while crossing the road, Mr. Peter Singleton - representative of the US Forest Service said that the Western Nghe An Biosphere Reserve needs a biodiversity corridor. This corridor is an area connecting natural ecological zones, allowing species in the areas to move freely, avoiding conflicts with humans.
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| Representative of the US Forest Service speaking at the conference. Photo: Tien Hung |
“Recently, elephants in the western part of Nghe An have frequently appeared and come into conflict with humans, destroying crops. That is because there is no biodiversity corridor,” said Mr. Peter Singleton.
Concluding the workshop, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Dinh Viet Hong assigned the management units to strengthen their professional capacity; develop and promulgate operating regulations, communication strategies, financial mechanisms; build biodiversity corridors; and continue to research, build and perfect the system, mobilize funding sources as well as call for investment...
The workshop was held on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the area being recognized by UNESCO as a Biosphere Reserve. Currently, the forest cover of the Reserve is over 61%. Through the workshop, the aim is to raise awareness of the role and importance of the Biosphere Reserve for the socio-economic development of Nghe An province. At the same time, introduce and promote the potential of eco-tourism in this area. |
Tien Hung
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