Protect biodiversity, harmonize with nature for sustainable development

Sustainable vision - from policy to action

With a total natural area of ​​over 6,300 ^km2 , Lao Cai province owns over 395,000 hectares of forested forestry land, with a forest coverage rate of nearly 60%, playing an important role in regulating water resources and protecting the ecology not only for Lao Cai but also affecting the entire Northern Midlands and Mountains and the Red River Delta. With abundant forest resources, diverse terrain and a typical highland ecosystem, Lao Cai is considered the "green lung" of the Northwest region and an important center of biodiversity in the country.

Among them, Hoang Lien Son range is a place where many rare natural forest ecosystems converge with thousands of endemic animal and plant species. Investigation results show that this area owns more than 3,800 species of higher plants and nearly 1,000 species of forest animals, of which 155 are rare species, 20 species are recorded in the Red Book of Vietnam and the world , 22 endemic species are typical of the ecosystem of Hoang Lien Son highland.

Students visit and learn about biodiversity at Hoang Lien National Park.

Recognizing the role of forests and biodiversity, Lao Cai has been synchronously implementing many important policies and guidelines. Notably, the integration of biodiversity conservation planning into provincial planning; effectively implementing Project 09-DA/TU on strengthening resource management, environmental protection and climate change response. The province has also issued an action plan to implement the National Strategy on Biodiversity to 2030, with a vision to 2050, while focusing on improving forest quality and capacity to access and share genetic resources.

Lao Cai has also proposed upgrading Bat Xat Nature Reserve to a National Park and expanding Hoang Lien - Van Ban Nature Reserve by 20,000 hectares. These steps affirm the long-term strategic orientation in conservation and sustainable development.

Forest protection patrol at Bat Xat Nature Reserve.

In Bat Xat Nature Reserve, in recent years, patrolling, inspection and propaganda activities for local people have been regularly organized to raise awareness of forest and biodiversity protection. Most local people have understood and strictly complied with the laws related to forest and biodiversity protection. Thanks to that, related violations have decreased significantly, especially there have been no major violations.

Mr. Ngo Kien Trung, Head of Bat Xat Nature Reserve Management Board said: “To protect biodiversity, we have determined to increase forest protection patrols and protect the integrity of the forest ecosystem to create a premise to promote the diverse and multi-purpose values ​​of the forest. In particular, we focus on exploiting the potential for scientific research and international cooperation, while exploiting and developing ecotourism in Bat Xat Nature Reserve”.

Harmony between development and conservation

The process of protecting biodiversity in Lao Cai is not without difficulties, especially in the face of increasingly obvious impacts of climate change. Extreme phenomena such as ice, snow, hail, landslides, forest fires, etc. occur more frequently, seriously affecting the forest ecosystem. In 2023, the province recorded more than 16 hectares of forest burned and in 2024, this number increased to more than 25 hectares in Hoang Lien National Park.

Not only natural disasters, but also pressure from economic and population development is affecting forests. In response to this situation, the province has been implementing a series of specific solutions such as: planting tens of millions of new trees, prioritizing native species; conserving precious medicinal species in the context of climate change; building botanical gardens in Sa Pa town, Bat Xat and Van Ban districts; developing sustainable eco-tourism models associated with nature conservation.

Environmental education for students through extracurricular activities and practical experiences at Hoang Lien National Park.

Mr. Dinh Van Tho, Deputy Director of Lao Cai Department of Agriculture and Environment, said: Lao Cai province always determines to harmonize economic development and environmental protection. We have implemented many synchronous solutions, developed plans, and clear directions for each stage, including solutions that not only maintain the forest coverage rate but also further increase and limit the conversion of forest area, especially natural forests and special-use forests, in exchange for economic benefits.

Over the past years, Lao Cai has been implementing a policy of payment for forest environmental services, helping people benefit from forest protection. Community models of forest management and conservation of valuable genetic resources are also showing clear effectiveness, contributing to the long-term conservation of biological resources.

Propaganda on environmental protection and biodiversity for people living in the core zone of Hoang Lien National Park.

In addition, environmental education and propaganda work is promoted through many forms: seminars, conferences, communication programs, etc. to change the awareness and behavior of the community and businesses. The integration of conservation content into educational programs is also promoted, aiming to build a lifestyle in harmony with nature right from school.

Lao Cai is gradually realizing the goal of sustainable socio-economic development on the basis of protecting natural resources, especially biodiversity. By combining strategic planning, practical policies and community consensus, the province is creating a typical model for harmonious development between people and nature.

Source: https://baolaocai.vn/bao-ve-da-dang-biological-hoc-hoa-hop-voi-thien-nhien-de-phat-trien-ben-vung-post402077.html