A corner of Bai Tu Long (Photo VNA)Hanoi (VNA) – The north-easternborder province of Quang Ninh has held a meeting to appraise its biodiversitypreservation plan through 2020, with a vision toward 2030.
The plan aims to promote biodiversitypreservation and development, especially the natural ecosystem and rare species,to serve sustainable development, environmental protection, climate changeadaptation, and ensure ecological security.
The province hopes to increase the forestcoverage by 55 percent by 2020 and 58 percent by 2030 and will prioritise theprotection of endangered species.
The plan will be carried out in three phases. In2018-2020, Quang Ninh will upgrade existing nature reserves and establish DongRui – Tien Yen wetland nature reserves, and Co To and Dao Tran marine naturereserves.
The province will launch Dong Son-Ky Thuong, YenTu and Bai Tu Long floral gardens and Bai Tu Long and Dong Son-Ky Thuong faunagardens in 2021-2025, along with mountainous and maritime biodiversitycorridors and Quang Hanh limestone nature reserve.
The plan also sets measures for implementationregarding capital, human resources training, science-technology, policymechanisms, information communication, and livelihood improvement.
Vice Chairman of the provincial People’sCommittee Dang Huy Hau suggested reviewing the proposals to expand areas forthe Dong Son-Ky Thuong nature reserve and forecast risks and difficulties inimplementing the project such as socio-economic development speed, decliningwater resources in some lakes, and the extinction of rare species.
He stressed the need to implement the project toprotect the environment, preserve biodiversity and develop the local economy.
The official urged the consultant companyinvolved to complete the plan before November 15, 2017.
Quang Ninh is home to 4,350 species of fauna andflora, including 154 species listed in Vietnam’s Red Book. However, localecological systems are being damaged by human activities. Tigers, bears andhorses have vanished from the province while coral reefs have been spoilt.
The province’s Bai Tu Long National Park, namedthe 38th ASEAN Heritage Park in 2017, has saved, taken care of and released tonature over 200 forest animals and five sea turtles. It has also worked withinternational organisations to preserve sea turtles, enhanced management capacityand biodiversity conservation, and supported eco-tourism and environmentaleducation.-VNA
VNA
