Preserving wildlife, to cope with natural disasters
"According to the announcement of the forest status in 2023, the total forest area and non-forest area of Hanoi is nearly 27,075 hectares. Hanoi's forests are distributed in 6 districts: Ba Vi, Thach That, Quoc Oai, Chuong My, My Duc, Soc Son and Son Tay town. Forest protection is the core task of the forest rangers. We always identify forest management, protection, forest fire prevention and fighting, in order to protect the "green lungs" of the capital as an important task" - Manager of Hanoi Forestry Branch - Le Minh Tuyen said.
According to experts from the Centre for Nature Conservation and Development (CCD), Hanoi is known as one of the areas with high biodiversity value in Vietnam, where there are many natural ecosystems such as forests on limestone mountains, forests on dirt mountains, parks, rivers, lakes, lagoons, etc. However, many wild species and natural habitats here have been gradually disappearing due to urbanization, land use conversion, and unsustainable exploitation and use.
Many species of flora and fauna distributed in Hanoi are facing the risk of extinction, especially those typical of limestone mountain ecosystems or riverbank and wetland areas. Illegal hunting, trapping, trading and consumption are the main causes leading to the serious decline of the above species and biodiversity in Hanoi city.
Preserving wild nature, preserving rare wildlife species in Hanoi - sounds strange and "far away" because many people think that Hanoi has no wildlife left. However, in reality, this is a project that experts are very interested in, expecting to contribute to protecting the green capital, developing sustainably, especially after storm No. 3 caused the capital to suffer significant losses.
"The capital Hanoi is considered to have many natural ecosystems such as forests on soil mountains, forests on limestone mountains, wetlands and beaches; It is home to many endemic and endangered species, and a wintering place for many migratory and globally threatened species. More notably, Hanoi is considered a trading, transit and consumption point for many wildlife species. For these reasons, we want to ensure the survival and recovery of endangered wildlife species in Hanoi through effective coordination," said Mr. Nguyen Manh Ha, conservation expert and Director of CCD, to Lao Dong Newspaper reporter.
Faced with huge challenges in nature and wildlife conservation in the capital, CCD has coordinated with state management agencies, communities and schools to implement the project "Conservation of endangered wildlife species in Hanoi City" funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
Return the wild, natural beauty to the forest, return home to wild animals
"Ensuring the survival and recovery of endangered wildlife species and maintaining and conserving important habitats in Hanoi is very necessary at this time," Mr. Ha shared, adding that one of the specific goals of the project is to preserve 100% of newly discovered Delacour's langurs in Huong Son forest and reduce 80% of violations related to wildlife in protective and special-use forests in Hanoi.
"The amazing beauty of the rare white-rumped langurs in the capital Hanoi has left domestic and international experts amazed. Some experts even told us that they were surprised that in the middle of Hanoi there are pristine areas, home to such rare wildlife species" - a conservation expert exclaimed when talking about the wildlife in Hanoi.
An equally ambitious goal is to improve the management of 3,600 hectares of natural forest in My Duc district (Hanoi), standardize the process of rescuing, releasing and monitoring wildlife, and then share this process with at least 10 other rescue centers.
In fact, restaurants and eateries that slaughter and trade wild animals for food are not uncommon in the capital. Wild animal and bird restaurants still exist, advertisements for wild animal products are all over social networks, and people still consider wild animal meat a delicacy and a high-class dish, despite the dangers and risk of disease outbreaks it brings. The forest is increasingly depleted of wild animals. People do not believe that there are still wild animals in Hanoi, and that is not without reason.
Mr. Ha hopes to coordinate with other parties to carry out creative communication campaigns on wildlife protection regulations, health risks from illegal wildlife trade and consumption, and the role of forests in mitigating climate change.
"We hope that by September 2026, the project will aim to conserve 100% of newly discovered white-cheeked langurs in Huong Son forest; reduce 80% of wildlife-related violations in Hanoi's protective and special-use forests; and improve the management of 3,600 hectares of natural forests on limestone mountains in My Duc district. At the end of the project, the process of rescuing, rehabilitating, releasing and monitoring after release of wildlife will be standardized and shared with at least 10 other rescue centers. The project also aims to have at least 300 students with the right attitude and behavior, contributing to the conservation of wildlife species and at least 500,000 people accessing the message of nature protection and wildlife protection through communication campaigns in the press and at the Huong Pagoda festival," said Mr. Nguyen Manh Ha.
Previously, the issue of developing the forest economy in Hanoi was raised. To create a new step in exploiting the potential of forests and responding to climate change, the city has a policy to attract investment in developing forests and the forest economy. Getting rich from forests is extremely important in developing types of forestry economy as well as coping with extreme weather conditions such as storms, floods, droughts, etc.
Manager of Hanoi Forestry Branch - Le Minh Tuyen analyzed that, based on the reality of 3 types of forests (protection forests, special-use forests and production forests), the city will have different orientations and policies for forest economic development. For example, with protection forests, the focus will be on doing a good job of zoning and protecting biodiversity. For planted forests, the direction will be towards planting perennial trees to contribute to protecting the ecological environment; supporting forest growers with capital, seeds, etc.
Not only experts, but also many Hanoians have high hopes for a Hanoi with "many forests", green and sustainable development. However, just looking at the green color and counting the trees is not enough. The "green lungs" of the city need to be restored to their most pristine and natural appearance, originating from the biodiversity in the forests. Only then can the forests fully develop their ability to protect people from storms and winds.
