A view of Cat Ba Biosphere Reserve. (Photo: VTC) Dong Nai (VNA) – The Vietnam National Commissionfor UNESCO held a workshop in the southern province of Dong Nai on November 28 toreview its work in 2018 and plan for the implementation of the Lima Action Planand eco-labelling in world biosphere reserves in Vietnam.
The Lima Action Plan for UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere(MAB) Programme and its World Network of Biosphere Reserves (2016 – 2025) wasadopted by the MAB International Coordinating Council (MAB ICC) at its 28th session in Lima, Peru, in March 2016. It contains actions to ensure theeffective implementation of the MAB Strategy 2015 – 2025.
Its objective is to create thriving societies in harmonywith the biosphere for the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals andthe 2030 UN Agenda for Sustainable Development, through global dissemination ofsustainability models developed in biosphere reserves.
This year, Vietnam has seen progress in implementing theLima Action Plan. The Cat Ba Biosphere Reserve in Hai Phong was the first inVietnam to draw up a plan for the implementation of the Lima Action Plan,adopted by the local authority, while Lang Biang Biosphere Reserve in Lam Donghas developed a model for community-based management of the reserve which hasfacilitated local development.
The world biosphere reserve of Cu Lao Cham – Hoi An in QuangNam has launched an egg-hatching project to rebuild sea turtle population incentral Vietnam. Hundreds of eggslaid by sea turtles in Con Dao National Park were carried to Bai Bac (northbeach) of Cu Lao Cham where they hatched in September 2017. This success, alongsideimproved environmental protection practices, has brought greater prospects forthe restoration and conservation of sea turtles and biodiversity of the Cu LaoCham MPA.
Last year, more than 860 baby turtleswere born from 900 eggs using the ex-situ conservation method, and all werelater released to the sea. It is expected some extra 900 eggs will be hatchedin June and August this year. It is expected, by 2020, sea turtles will returnto shore around Cu Lao Cham to nest.
Speaking at the workshop, directors of biosphere reservesin Vietnam suggested that local governments where biosphere reserves arelocated must focus on forest protection and improve livelihoods for people whomanage the forests. At the same time, biosphere reserves in Vietnam need tostep up cooperation with their peers from other countries; acceleratecommunication campaigns to promote the biosphere reserves among people; andraise public awareness of environmental protection. –VNA
VNA
