Cuc Phuong National Park and buffer zone communes signed a cooperation agreement to strengthen forest protection and sustainable development.

On the morning of October 16, Cuc Phuong National Park held a conference to sign the Coordination Regulation with the People's Committees of 7 buffer zone communes including: Cuc Phuong, Nho Quan (Ninh Binh province), Yen Tri, Yen Thuy, Dai Dong (Phu Tho province) and Thanh Vinh, Thach Quang (Thanh Hoa province) on strengthening forest management and protection, biodiversity conservation and maintaining security and order, towards the goal of sustainable development.

Representatives of the People's Committees of the buffer zone communes signed the coordination regulations.

Attending the conference were representatives from the Forest Protection Department of Region II; the Board of Directors of Cuc Phuong National Park; the Center for Conservation of Wildlife in Vietnam (SVW); leaders of the People's Committee, Police, and Military Command of 7 buffer zone communes in the provinces of Ninh Binh, Thanh Hoa, and Phu Tho.

Delegates attending the conference.

The summary report on the implementation of the Coordination Regulations between Cuc Phuong National Park and buffer zone communes for the period 2021-2025 stated: Over the past 5 years, thanks to the direction of the Board of Directors of Cuc Phuong National Park and close coordination with local authorities, the number of violations of the Forestry Law has decreased significantly; forest fire prevention and fighting activities, forest patrolling, rescue, and dissemination of laws to the community have achieved many outstanding results.

Specifically, Cuc Phuong National Park has detected and handled 113 forestry violations, of which there were no major deforestation cases or serious damage. Violations mainly involved bringing tools and traps into the forest or storing homemade guns, etc., which were all promptly prevented and handled.

Together with the allocation of more than 4,000 hectares of forest each year and support to 29 buffer zone villages/hamlets with a total budget of more than VND 11 billion from Programs 809 and ERPA (reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the North Central region), it has contributed to improving livelihoods, reducing pressure on forests and connecting people with conservation work.

Notably, in 2025, Cuc Phuong National Park applied SMART software in forest patrolling and monitoring, helping to increase transparency, accuracy and efficiency in resource management; at the same time, implementing a model of rearranging 8 ranger stations at the commune level, creating better cohesion and coordination with local authorities.

At the conference, representatives of Cuc Phuong National Park and leaders of 7 buffer zone communes signed the Coordination Regulations for the period 2025-2030. The Regulations clearly state the principles, contents and methods of coordination between the Park and the authorities of buffer zone communes in the following areas: Forest management, protection and fire prevention; rescue and biodiversity conservation; maintaining security and order in the buffer zone; developing community livelihoods associated with forest protection.

Representatives of the People's Committees of the buffer zone communes committed to responsibility in forest protection.

The signing of the Coordination Regulations is not only a commitment of responsibility between the Park and the local government, but also a foundation towards a sustainable community forest management model. With the motto: "Proactive - Close coordination - Quick response - Resolute handling - Sustainable conservation" , and the determination to "keep Cuc Phuong forest forever green, forever peaceful". The key task in the new period, especially emphasizing the enhancement of technology application, inter-sectoral coordination and livelihood support for people in the buffer zone, considering this as a key solution to conservation associated with sustainable forest development.

Also at the conference, Cuc Phuong National Park announced hotline numbers, operating 24/7, to quickly receive information from people, tourists and organizations related to forest fire prevention and fighting; wildlife rescue; and reports of forestry violations and crimes.

News and photos: Nguyen Minh

Source: https://baoninhbinh.org.vn/vuon-quoc-gia-cuc-phuong-va-cac-xa-vung-dem-ky-ket-phoi-hop-tang-cuong-bao-ve-r-251016194905331.html