Deputy head of the agency Hoang Thi Thanh Nhan said the hunting andconsumption of migratory birds has become serious in several parts of thecountry over recent years, damaging biodiversity and the environment, presentinga risk from epidemics, and affecting the delivery on international commitments inthe East Asian-Australasian Flyway Partnership, to which Vietnam is a member.
The agency recently held a technical meeting with bird preservationexperts and representatives from the WWF and VietNatureto discuss how to protect wild birds, especially migratory birds.
After VietnamPlus reported on the illegal hunting and trading of migratory birds in Cat Ba archipelago in the northern port city of Hai Phong, the Ministry of Agriculture and RuralDevelopment and Ministry of Natural Resources and the Environment have instructed relevant agencies to work with the People’s Committee of Hai Phong on the matter.
Hai Phong authorities have urged relevant departments, agencies, andunits to determine the responsibility of individuals and collectives regardingthe issue.
Bui Thi Ha, Vice Director of Educationfor Nature Vietnam, said that to curb and prevent illegal hunting, a combinationof measures is needed, including better communications, increased publicunderstanding, and an improved legal framework and better law enforcement.
“Asking people not to hunt wild birds andremove trapping nets is not enough,” she said. “Strict punishment of violatorsis needed. People must be shown the legal penalties they face if they areinvolved in illegal wild bird hunting and trading.”/.