On September 25, the Management Board of Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park (PN-KB National Park) said that it had just held a meeting with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, relevant departments, branches and units to develop a dossier to nominate the PN-KB World Biosphere Reserve for submission to competent authorities for appraisal and approval.
It is expected that the establishment of the PN-KB World Biosphere Reserve will have an area of 484,326 hectares and a population of 133,642 people.
In which, the core zone of the biosphere reserve is taken according to the boundary of the core zone of PN-KB National Park and the heritage area of PN-KB National Park, located in 2 districts, 7 communes/towns, with an area of 123,326 hectares.
The buffer zone is taken according to the boundary of the PN-KB National Park buffer zone, located in 3 districts, 13 communes/towns, with an area of 220,000 hectares; the transition zone is located in 6 districts/towns, 18 communes/towns, with an area of 141,000 hectares.
It is known that to be nominated as a World Biosphere Reserve, 7 criteria must be met, including: The nominated area has diverse representation of ecosystems of major biogeographical regions, including stages of development with human impact; The nominated area has high biodiversity conservation value; The biosphere reserve can be developed in a sustainable direction in the area; The biosphere reserve has an appropriate area to meet the three functions of a biosphere reserve; The area has enough suitable areas; There is a hierarchical arrangement of relevant components, participants, and interested parties in suitable areas, to jointly perform the functions of the biosphere reserve; The mechanism for implementing management and conservation is accepted by UNESCO.
To date, there are 738 biosphere reserves in 134 countries in the world; including 22 recognized transboundary world biosphere reserves. In Vietnam, there are 11 world biosphere reserves.
The recognition of the PN-KB World Biosphere Reserve will contribute to the conservation of landscape diversity, ecosystems, species and genetic resources; promote sustainable economic, cultural and human development in cultural, social and ecological aspects; support demonstration programs, environmental education and training activities, research and monitoring related to conservation and sustainable development at local, national and global levels...
