Phong Nha-Ke Bang World Biosphere Reserve is a large area with a total area of 513,262 hectares. The highlight of the area is Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park - a world natural heritage first recognized by UNESCO in 2003 according to geological and geomorphological criteria and in 2015 recognized by UNESCO for the second time according to biodiversity criteria.
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According to the construction documents, Phong Nha-Ke Bang World Biosphere Reserve is divided into three zones, including: The core zone is taken according to the boundary of the core zone of Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park and the heritage area of Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, located in 2 districts, 8 communes/towns (after the merger, there are 5 communes), with an area of 123,326 hectares. The core zone's function focuses on maintaining long-term natural ecosystems, conserving genetic resources, protecting the integrity of the landscape and natural processes. Human activities are limited to a minimum to maintain ecological balance. This area contributes significantly to the conservation of ecosystems and genetic resources, enriching the biodiversity treasure of Vietnam and the world.
The buffer zone of Phong Nha-Ke Bang World Biosphere Reserve is taken from the boundary of the buffer zone of Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, which is located in 3 districts, 13 communes/towns, with an area of over 220,000 hectares (after the merger, there will be 7 communes). The buffer zone will support and promote local communities to carry out sustainable development activities in the transition zone. These activities include sustainable farming, ecological agriculture development, and bio -economy .
In the buffer zone, in addition to the values of forest environmental services and carbon storage; people can exploit a number of non-timber forest products, such as: honey, medicinal herbs, bamboo, rattan, raising livestock and poultry under the forest canopy, caring for and protecting forests, developing ecotourism ... This contributes to creating a sustainable source of income for people, helping to reduce pressure on the core zone, maintain beautiful landscapes and preserve human ecosystems, along with spiritual and cultural values.
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The transition zone of Phong Nha-Ke Bang World Biosphere Reserve is based on the communes surrounding the buffer zone, which is located in 3 districts, 21 communes, and covers an area of 169,881 hectares (after the merger, there are 10 communes), playing the role of protecting ecosystem services and restoring degraded or destroyed ecosystems. Activities such as environmental protection and smart use of natural resources (organisms, land, water, air, climate) as well as integrating biodiversity conservation into agricultural areas, production forests, construction works, forest garden models, urban biodiversity, etc.
It is known that the core zone, buffer zone and transition zone are divided to facilitate monitoring and management. However, these 3 zones are closely linked and interact with each other. All 3 functions of conservation, development and support are implemented in all 3 zones depending on the different levels for each specific activity...
In addition, Phong Nha-Ke Bang World Biosphere Reserve also possesses rich biodiversity with 2,712 species and subspecies of vascular plants; of which 126 species are listed in the Vietnam Red Book 2024 and 61 species in the IUCN Red List. Regarding animals, 1,394 species are recorded, including 100 species in the Vietnam Red Book 2024, 50 species in the IUCN Red Book (2024) and 75 species listed in the CITES appendices. This diversity includes both vertebrates and invertebrates, demonstrating the richness of the region's ecosystems...
On the other hand, Phong Nha-Ke Bang World Biosphere Reserve is also a place with diverse genetic resources, the intersection of two plant streams from the North and the South and is the southernmost boundary of some northern plant species, such as Platanus kerrii, Dipterocarpus retusus... and is also the northernmost boundary of some southern plant species, such as Dialium cochinchinense...
After the Phong Nha-Ke Bang nominated Biosphere Reserve is recognized, the Phong Nha-Ke Bang nominated Biosphere Reserve Management Board will coordinate with the Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park Management Board and provincial departments and branches to develop research, survey, education, training and coaching programs for the nominated Biosphere Reserve; integrate and incorporate them into existing activities and planned activities of the core zone of Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park and of departments and branches in each specific field... |
In addition, thanks to the relatively independent terrain of the limestone mountains, Phong Nha-Ke Bang is also the distribution center of 172 endemic plant species of Vietnam. With the presence of rare flora and fauna and diverse ecosystems, Phong Nha-Ke Bang World Biosphere Reserve is not only one of the key areas for biodiversity conservation and genetic resources, but also contributes significantly to the protection of global landscapes and habitats.
Director of Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park Management Board Pham Hong Thai said that the organization of the international workshop to consult the dossier of Phong Nha-Ke Bang World Biosphere Reserve aims to collect opinions from organizations and scientists to complete the dossier of nomination of Phong Nha-Ke Bang World Biosphere Reserve to submit to UNESCO; at the same time, raise awareness and strengthen coordination in building and managing the World Biosphere Reserve according to international criteria...
Ngoc Hai
Source: https://baoquangbinh.vn/du-lich/202506/bao-ve-canh-quan-va-moi-truong-song-toan-cau-2227316/
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