Biodiversity conservation programme kicked off in Quang Nam

• "Civil Society led promotion of reproductive healthcare services" project launched
• Enhancing women’s role in society
• Vietnam Mathematic Society still do not provide comment letter on the multiple-choice math test

The Quang Nam Provincial People’s Committee in collaboration with the U.S Embassy to Vietnam and the U.S Agency for International Development (USAID) held a ceremony to announce the decision to establish the Quang Nam Elephant Sanctuary on September 7, in Phuoc Ninh commune, Nong Son district, Quang Nam province.  

This elephant sanctuary that covers an area of nearly 19,000 hectares in Phuoc Ninh and Que Lam communes (Nong Son district) aims to protect the habitat of a very last Asian elephant population.

Speaking at the ceremony, Vice Chairman of the Quang Nam Provincial People’s Committee said that, according to relevant units, there are about 70-130 Asian elephants living in 10 areas in Son La, Nghe An, Ha Tinh, Quang Nam, Tay Nguyen, Binh Phuoc and Dong Nai. 

In Quang Nam province where the forest land occupies 70%, there remain about 5-7 Asian elephants. Therefore, the establishment of this sanctuary is very necessary.

He also urged relevant units to closely cooperate with the Nong Son district authorities to raise people's awareness of elephant conservation in particular and biodiversity conservation in general.

US Ambassador to Vietnam Ted Osius stated at the event that the United States is proud to cooperate with Quang Nam province in protecting the habitat of the endangered Asian elephants and finding solutions to improving incomes of locals through development support programmes.

The establishment of the sanctuary is also part of the project “Green Truong Son range” launched by USAID, to enhance cooperation with Quang Nam and Thua Thien Hue provinces to develop local economy as well as to conserve forests and biodiversity.