Protecting Vietnam's Rich Natural Systems

Vietnam’s rich natural systems, species, and genetic material are an intrinsic part of the country’s economy and culture. Yet natural forests are increasingly over-used and degraded. Nearly 700 species are threatened with extinction nationally, while over 300 species are threatened with global extinction. Innovative approaches and investment are needed to ensure that Vietnam’s remarkable natural assets are protected and used sustainably, according to the latest Vietnam Environment Monitor released in Hanoi on November 24, 2005.

 

This year’s Environmental Monitor on Biodiversity is the fourth in the series of annual environment reports and takes a close look at conservation of the country’s most unique and fragile environmental resource, its biodiversity.

The report provides a frank assessment of biodiversity status and trends, highlights key issues, and identifies experiences and lessons which can guide decision makers in setting priorities for future action to improve the management of Vietnam’s ecosystems, species and genetic resources.

 

 "The role of communities in biodiversity conservation is growing. With a large number of poor communities dependent upon natural resources in the country, especially in the remote mountainous areas and protected areas, the relationship between biodiversity and communities is crucial to both poverty alleviation and conservation. Progress on this front has been incremental. Community-based projects and public awareness are growing, but the systematic approach necessary for truly broad impact is lacking," said H.E. Anna Lindstedt, Ambassador of Sweden to Vietnam.

 

According to the Monitor, the broad challenges facing Vietnam require the following actions:

 

The protected area system is a cornerstone of Vietnam’s biodiversity conservation programme. The priorities are to expand the protected area network to include poorly represented habitats such as lowland evergreen forests, rivers, coastal wetlands, and marine areas. Management planning is critical to improving the protected areas system so that scarce financial resources are focused on conservation needs.

 

The mechanisms for natural resources management and sustainable use by communities need to be developed. Extension services and protected areas staff need to develop greater capacity to allow new roles to be taken on in community outreach and support.

 

Three priority strategies are needed: regional biodiversity planning to set conservation frameworks for development both within and outside protected areas; a much more rigorous application of EIA procedures to ensure that conservation standards and guidelines are followed, and areas which must be kept in their natural state are not harmed; and ‘user pays’ policies for commercial exploitation of biodiversity and ecosystem benefits.

 

This will require increased powers for the Forest Protection Department in law enforcement, improved coordination between local authorities and enforcement agencies, and increased understanding and knowledge of the laws and capacity to enforce them.

 

To reverse the current trend of biodiversity loss, there will need to be an increase in the total amount of conservation investment by government, and a more strategic targeting of funds to meet conservation needs. Another priority is to assess and develop the opportunities for the poor to benefit from the provision of ecological services, in particular ecotourism, watershed protection, and carbon sequestration, and to empower protected areas staff to raise revenues and thereby develop sustainable conservation financing.

 

Underlying all these challenges is the need to build the institutional capacity, skills, and budgets for conserving biodiversity through strengthened working relationships with neighbor countries and the international community.

 

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