Two Vietnamese biosphere reserves earn UNESCO recognition
PSNews - Two biosphere reserves Nui Chua in the central province of Ninh Thuan and Kon Ha Nung in the Central Highlands province of Gia Lai have earned UNESCO recognition.
They were among 22 reserves across the world voted at a session of the International Coordinating Council of the Man and the Biosphere Programme (CIC-MAB), which was held in Nigeria on September 17.
With the recognition, Vietnam has 11 biosphere reserves, becoming one of the countries with the largest number of UNESCO-recognised biosphere reserves.
Ambassador Le Thi Hong Van, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to UNESCO, said Vietnam was the sole country with two dossiers that were approved in the first round. It is also the first time since 2015 that Vietnam has had biosphere reserves nominated for voting by UNESCO, she added.
As reported, with an area of about 31,000 hectares, the Nui Chua National Park features forest, sea and semi-arid spaces, and efforts are being made to conserve its rich biodiversity while tapping into tourism pot.
Kon Ha Nung Plateau covers more than 413,500 hectares. Its core zone is Kon Ka Kinh National Park and Kon Chu Rang Nature Reserve. The reserve has about 15,900 hectares of special-use forests, a transition ecosystem between the east and west of the Truong Son Mountain range. It is home to rare, rich and diverse flora and fauna.
On the occasion, the CIC-MAB assessed a 10-year review on the management and development of Can Gio and Cu Lao Cham reserves.
The CIC-MAB, known as the governing body of the Man and the Biosphere programme, comprises 34 member nations biennially elected by the UNESCO General Assembly.
