Building Pu Mat National Park into an ASEAN Heritage Park in 2020

Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Hoang Nghia Hieu chaired the meeting. Photo: Phu Huong

Pu Mat National Park is located in the three districts of Anh Son, Con Cuong and Tuong Duong, with a 61 km border with Laos and is divided into three sub-zones: strictly protected zone, ecological restoration zone and service-administrative zone. Over 93,000 people live in and around the park's buffer zone.

The park plays an important role in regulating the climate, stabilizing the upstream ecosystem and conserving the genetic resources of rare animals and plants not only for Vietnam but also for the world. Many rare species are listed in the Vietnam Red Book and the IUCN Red List; prioritized for conservation at the national and international levels.

With the task of managing, protecting, and developing forests and forest land representing the forest ecosystem on the soil mountains of the North Truong Son region, the Park Management Board has completely and sustainably protected nearly 95,000 hectares of assigned special-use forests.

Leaders of Pu Mat National Park Management Board informed about the management and protection of nearly 95,000 hectares of special-use forests. Photo: Phu Huong

In the past 3 years, commercial logging has been completely stopped; destructive fishing of aquatic resources has been basically controlled; all hotspots of forest exploitation and wildlife hunting have been ended. Cross-border conservation cooperation with Laos in biodiversity conservation has also achieved many important results.

The Park Management Board has also coordinated the implementation of scientific and technological projects; investigated and monitored wildlife; well managed the specimen warehouse with very high research value; received and rescued hundreds of wild animals...
At the meeting, in addition to recognizing the achievements, comrade Hoang Nghia Hieu requested the Park Management Board to focus on researching and re-planning functional zones in accordance with reality to protect and develop the forest ecosystem, conserve wildlife, and develop livelihoods for ethnic minorities living in the core and buffer zones. Implement well the coordination regulations in forest management and protection; strengthen cooperation in biological conservation...

The Wildlife Rescue Center - Pu Mat National Park releases animals handed over by the Provincial Forest Protection Department and Pu Mat Forest Protection Department. Photo: Document

Minimize forest fires; increase patrolling, forest protection, and biodiversity conservation; Completely prevent deforestation, logging, non-timber forest products, and hunting of wild animals and aquatic animals. Create a safe living environment for releasing rescued wild animals back into the natural environment. Plan to expand the Wildlife Rescue Center and implement a breeding program to conserve rare and precious species that are prioritized for protection in the national conservation program.