Con Dao National Park recognized with IUCN "Green List" title

Con Dao National Park. (Photo: VNA)

On September 24, Deputy Director of the Department of Forestry and Forest Protection ( Ministry of Agriculture and Environment ) Pham Hong Luong said that Con Dao National Park has just been recognized by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) as a "Green List" - a title for conservation areas that are effectively and sustainably managed.

This is the second National Park and the third Protected Area in Vietnam to achieve the title of "Green List" (after Van Long Wetland Reserve in Ninh Binh province and Cat Tien National Park in Dong Nai province).

Along with Con Dao National Park, in this review, the IUCN Green List Committee also recognized three more national parks and reserves in the world . The recognition of Con Dao National Park as a “Green List” affirms the persistent efforts in the management and conservation of nature in one of the most unique ecosystems in Vietnam.

Deputy Director Pham Hong Luong emphasized: “This title is not only a recognition, but also a testament to the commitment and success in efforts to conserve biodiversity and natural values in Vietnam in general and Con Dao National Park in particular.”

According to IUCN, the Green List is a set of high standards, global scale demonstrating the commitment of governments and forest management boards in biodiversity conservation, forest protection, as well as creating harmony between forest protection and community livelihoods. This is also an objective measure to evaluate and recognize efforts in nature conservation and biodiversity.

In fact, to be recognized, Con Dao National Park had to go through a rigorous review and evaluation process, including the participation of independent experts, conservation organizations and local community representatives.

Con Dao National Park is recognized as one of the most valuable biodiversity centers in Vietnam. With an area of over 15,000 hectares of land and 14,000 hectares of sea surface, it preserves many ecosystems of mangrove forests, coral reefs, seagrasses and hundreds of rare species of animals and plants.

Con Dao is also one of the few places in Vietnam that still maintains a large population of sea turtles laying eggs on the beach every year, playing an important role in the global sea turtle conservation network.

The flora in Con Dao National Park is recorded at about 1,077 species, while the forest fauna has 155 species. Marine life alone reaches 1,725 species, including 360 species of coral, 205 species of coral reef fish, 187 species of mollusks, 116 species of crustaceans, and many rare species of reptiles, birds and marine mammals. Of these, 76 species of forest creatures and 72 species of marine life are classified as endangered.

Notably, Con Dao sea area is also home to a rich population of green turtles - an endangered species according to the Vietnam Red Book. This place has been recognized as a national record "National park releasing the most baby turtles into the sea in Vietnam" and was awarded a certificate in 2009; it is the first unit in Vietnam to become a member of the "Sea Turtle Conservation Network in the Indian Ocean - Southeast Asia" (IOSEA), the 11th organization of this network in October 2019.

Con Dao National Park was recognized with the title "Green List" IUCN.

Being recognized on the IUCN Green List also opens up opportunities for Con Dao to enhance its position in the region and internationally. This is not only a testament to sustainable management, but also helps the locality promote the image of sustainable eco-tourism, linking conservation with economic development.

Thus, with three conservation areas achieving the title of “Green List,” Vietnam has become the country with the highest number of Green List conservation areas in Southeast Asia, affirming its strong commitment to protecting biodiversity, responding to climate change and moving towards sustainable development in the future./.

Source: https://ttbc-hcm.gov.vn/vuon-quoc-gia-con-dao-duoc-cong-nhan-danh-hieu-danh-luc-xanh-iucn-1019627.html