In a recent dialogue forum organized by the Kien Giang World Biosphere Reserve Management Board in collaboration with the Department of Nature Conservation and Biodiversity, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, issues on strengthening the management of the Biosphere Reserve were discussed.
Dr. Hoang Thi Thanh Nhan - Deputy Director of the Department of Nature Conservation and Biodiversity, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment said that the forum aims to continue to improve the legal framework for biosphere reserve management, provide guidance on developing regulations and plans for management and environmental protection of biosphere reserves. Thereby, helping Kien Giang province better understand the requirements and legal regulations at home and abroad in the management and conservation of biosphere reserves, helping managers grasp the current status of biosphere reserve management in the locality. From there, review and improve legal documents on biosphere reserves, contributing to enhancing effective management, nature conservation and biodiversity.
The Kien Giang World Biosphere Reserve was recognized by UNESCO in 2006 with a total area of nearly 1.2 million hectares, spanning 10 districts/towns from Ha Tien to U Minh Thuong and Phu Quoc. Of which, the core zone is 37,000 hectares, the buffer zone is 172,000 hectares and the transition zone is 978,000 hectares. The 3 main core zones include: Phu Quoc National Park (Phu Quoc Marine Protected Area), U Minh Thuong National Park, Kien Giang Forest Management Board, and Phu My Species and Habitat Conservation Area.
According to Director of the Department of Science and Technology Huynh Vinh Lac, Head of the Management Board of Kien Giang World Biosphere Reserve: promoting the value of Kien Giang World Biosphere Reserve still faces many difficulties. Propaganda and mobilization work has been focused on implementation but the effectiveness is not high, especially in the compliance with the law by people related to land in the reserve; calling for investment, conservation projects, biodiversity is still limited; conservation, rescue, and development of organisms have not met the planned targets; technical infrastructure is limited...
Mr. Huynh Vinh Lac shared that currently, Kien Giang World Biosphere Reserve is in the stage of checking and assessing the current status of changes in resources and biodiversity. Through this forum, the Management Board of Kien Giang World Biosphere Reserve is guided to develop regulations and plans for environmental management and protection for the biosphere reserve. Guidance on developing a 10-year periodic assessment report for the Project on Integrating natural resource management and biodiversity conservation goals into socio-economic development planning and management of biosphere reserves in Vietnam and zoning of biosphere reserves. Developing a communication plan, raising awareness and promoting the value of biosphere reserves...
Kien Giang World Biosphere Reserve has 7 ecosystems and 22 habitat types typical of the tropics. The flora and fauna are rich, with more than 2,400 species, of which there are about 913 animal species, with 95 rare and precious species listed in the Red Book and 57 endemic species; nearly 1,500 plant species, with 118 rare and precious species listed in the Red Book and 60 endemic species.
Kien Giang World Biosphere Reserve plays a very important role in conserving biodiversity for Vietnam, the region and the world; it is a key area for scientific research of most research institutes and universities.
