Increasing awareness of the benefits of biosphere reserves

(Baonghean.vn) - On the afternoon of June 6, the Management Board of the Western Nghe An Biosphere Reserve held a meeting to evaluate the results of activities in the past time. Comrade Hoang Viet Duong - Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee, Head of the Management Board chaired.

Comrade Hoang Viet Duong chaired the meeting.

The Western Nghe An Biosphere Reserve (WBR) was recognized by the UNESCO Committee in September 2007. This is the 6th BBR in Vietnam and the largest BBR in Southeast Asia with a total area of ​​1,303,285 hectares spread over the administrative boundaries of 9 mountainous districts of Nghe An, and is a green corridor connecting 3 core areas (Pu Mat National Park, Pu Huong Nature Reserve and Pu Hoat Nature Reserve).

Mr. Nguyen Tien Lam - Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Deputy Standing Committee reported and evaluated the operation of the Management Board of the Western Nghe An Biosphere Reserve.

Report on the assessment of the results of the activities, in the past time, the Management Board has promoted the management, propaganda and promotion of potential, built a database, attracted investment, connected projects and cooperated in scientific research... In the coming time, the Management Board will periodically report on 10 years of operation, complete the dossier to attract conservation and development projects, build a dossier to recognize the heritage tree system serving conservation associated with tourism development.

Mr. Nguyen Tien Lam - Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development said that currently many people still do not know what a biosphere reserve is, what its role and significance is to social life. This opinion was further affirmed by Professor - Dr. Nguyen Hoang Tri - Chairman of the National Committee of the Vietnam Human and Biosphere Program, it is true that many people do not know about biosphere reserves, the benefits they bring to people. Therefore, it is necessary to have the attention of local government leaders to enhance the value, especially the experimental value of the biosphere reserve in Western Nghe An.

Some other opinions also mentioned the work of protecting the Biosphere Reserve associated with the livelihoods of local people, combined with the development of eco-tourism, creating a brand to increase operating funds, expanding relationships to learn management and operational experiences, and promptly completing the 10-year periodic report to promptly submit to UNESCO.

Prof. Dr. Nguyen Hoang Tri - Chairman of the National Committee of the Vietnam Man and Biosphere Program affirmed the value and important role of the Western Nghe An Biosphere Reserve, and suggested that members of the Management Board expand exchanges and learn experiences to promote potential and advantages, link conservation with livelihoods, and increase income for local people.

Concluding the working session, comrade Hoang Viet Duong highly appreciated the work of improving, calling for investment and coordinating with districts and sectors of the Management Board of the Western Nghe An Biosphere Reserve. However, the awareness of all levels, sectors and people is still limited, not at the right level about the Biosphere Reserve; the propaganda program and plan of the Management Board have not been given due attention, close coordination is still limited, operating budget is still low...

In the coming time, the Vice Chairman of the province requested to systematize documents, develop a coordination program with Nghe An Newspaper and the provincial Radio and Television Station to increase propaganda time, build a good report evaluating 10-year activities, promote scientific research, mobilize more operating funds, and link with the socio-economic development of localities...

Cong Kien