Launch of Multi-Stakeholder Working Group on Biodiversity Conservation

The Working Group includes representatives from the Cat Tien National Park Management Board, the buffer zone community and the Women’s Union. Through meetings and engagement activities, stakeholders will address specific challenges, such as conflicts of interest between livelihoods and conservation priorities; or issues related to payment policies for forest environmental services.

The Working Group on Forest Protection and Cooperative Management in Cat Tien National Park will work together to resolve conflicts of interest between livelihoods and biodiversity conservation priorities.

This is one of the pilot models in a number of protected areas under the Sustainable Forest Management and Biodiversity Conservation Project, funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), Biodiversity Conservation Component implemented by WWF in Vietnam, to introduce different approaches for local communities to participate in the management of protected areas.

Emphasizing the important role of the community in the management of Cat Tien National Park, Mr. Pham Xuan Thinh, Director of Cat Tien National Park, commented: The establishment of the Working Group not only contributes to increasing the participation of local communities in protecting natural heritage, but also improves the effectiveness of the biodiversity conservation strategy. By building cooperative relationships and sharing common responsibilities, the community is joining hands to protect the unique ecosystems of Cat Tien National Park as well as ensuring the livelihoods and development of communities living near the forest.

Previously, WWF in collaboration with Cat Tien National Park organized 3 meetings with communities in 3 communes including Dak Lua, Nui Tuong and Ta Lai ( Dong Nai province). People agreed on cooperative management activities in the commune and selected community representatives in the Working Group. Through assessing the practical situation, the parties identified a number of points that could lead to conflicts in forest management and protection such as: Cultural conflicts; payment for forest environmental services; people's lack of awareness of the law.

Mr. Nick Cox, Director of Biodiversity Conservation Component, spoke at the event.

At the local government level, the People's Committees of the communes unanimously sent representatives of the Women's Union and local people to participate in the Working Group. After an initial assessment of the issues and conflicts within and around Cat Tien National Park, the Director of Cat Tien National Park approved and issued a Decision on the establishment of a cooperative management working group, as a basis for implementing activities in the buffer zone.

In the coming time, the Working Group will jointly assess cultural aspects, life, forest protection and other factors related to forest management and protection and prepare a report on the results of field activities. Thereby, propose and select solutions suitable to the local situation.

According to Mr. Nick Cox, Director of the Biodiversity Conservation Component, the establishment of a formal mechanism with community participation will contribute to enhancing the biodiversity conservation potential as well as understanding and respecting the social benefits of Cat Tien National Park - a place that plays an important role in the global ecosystem. Through this, the Biodiversity Conservation Component commits to the goal of improving forest quality and protecting wildlife populations, thereby bringing benefits to local communities and expanding to the whole society in Vietnam.

Source: https://dttg.baotainguyenmoitruong.vn/ra-mat-to-cong-tac-da-ben-bao-ton-da-dang-sinh-hoc-359716.html