Da Nang (VNA)ꦇ – Changes are needed to make the nature preservation in the Central and Central Highlands regions more effective, according to experts at a May 18 conference on the increase of coordination in nature preservation in the Central and Central Highlands regions in Da Nang city.

According to Nguyen Manh Hiep, from the Nature Preservation Department under the Vietnam Administration of Forestry, Vietnam has three natural preservation systems – forest reserves, sea reserves and wetland reserves. According to Hiep, because reserves are of a small size in terms of area and scattered across the country, it is necessary to agree on the importance of major reserves to preserve the natural ecology, gene resources and variety of species, particularly endangered ones. Hiep said it will be more effective to have an agency to manage all natural reserves because it will provide consistency in organisation, staff and resources. Vietnam currently has six national reserves managed by the central government while the provincial governments manage 158 national parks and reserves. Prof. Dang Huy Huynh, Chairman of the Vietnam Zoological Society, highlighted the value and benefits of forests and diverse ecology with the development of ecological-green, exploration-adventure and spiritual tourism. Huynh also expressed his concerns about the deforestation and called relevant authorities to take specific and practical actions in line with investment policy on science, technology and farming practices to preserve and make the most the forests and diversity of cultures in the Central Highlands. Delegates at the conference also called for the effective implementation of the national strategy for preservation and ecology through 2020 with a vision to 2030 according to the decision on protecting the natural ecosystem and precious native species approved by the Prime Minister. Investment in science and technology and reform of financial mechanisms are needed, as well as the encouragement of the linkage of policy, management, enterprises, science-technology and local community via building green economic model and green products. Public communications campaigns to raise awareness and capability for the community in protecting and enriching the forests and biology in natural forested areas, as well as in forest land allocated to households and organisations for protection and maintainance.-VNA