Two red-shanked douc langurs in the nature reserve of Son Tra in Da Nang City. The primate is endangered. — Photo courtesy of GreenViet

The project, entitled ‘Establishing a funding foundation for biodiversity protection and environmental sustainability in Da Nang’, aims to strengthen civil society organisations (CSOs) of the city and the central and Central Highlands provinces in environmental protection by diversifying financial resources.

"The event is held at the time when the COVID-19 pandemic has again shown us the importance of living in harmony with nature. We are convinced the project will bring tangible results on biodiversity conservation through the effective operation of the foundation”, Jesús Laviña, Deputy Head of Cooperation, EU Delegation to Vietnam, said at the launching ceremony last week.

“We believe that this project will motivate and support local CSOs in initiating practical projects to help the Government effectively address issues related to biodiversity conservation and sustainable environmental protection in Da Nang and the central and Central Highlands regions,” said Dr Ha Thang Long, chairman of the GreenViet's Founding Council.

Trees in the Son Tra nature reserve in Da Nang City. — VNS Photo Cong Thanh

“Resolving the problem of finance and improving technical capacity and financial management to local CSOs is an effective method to sustain the contribution of local conservation organisations to the city and the region," he added.

This project will help diversify financing resources for Vietnamese CSOs including 50 groups and organisations working in biodiversity conservation and environmental protection, and fund 21 biodiversity conservation initiatives.

It will also help build capacity for raising awareness and co-operation among businesses and individuals to provide sustainable funding for conservation, communication and education, patrolling and monitoring to protect the red-shanked douc langurs, the endangered primates in Son Tra peninsula.

Bui Thi Minh Chau, representative of the Gustav-Stresemann Institute (GSI, Germany), co-coordinator of the project affirmed: “This project contributes a unique initiative to the city that is to research and develop feasible mechanisms for businesses, local community and tourists (domestic and international) to participate in the conservation of nature and environmental protection of Da Nang and the central and Central Highlands regions.”

“This initiative not only helps conservation CSOs to have more diverse financial resources from the private sector and community but also brings a new and innovative direction for businesses, individuals and tourists to directly contribute to protecting the environment of the city in a more sustainable way,” she said. 

Threats

Son Tra Nature Reserve, 10km from Da Nang’s centre, is known for its rich biodiversity with 387 species of animals and 1,010 species of plant.

The city’s People's Committee has approved a master plan on biodiversity conservation in 2030 in line with long-term socio-economic and sustainable development goals.

Children enjoy an outdoor education on wildlife protection and conservation in Son Tra peninsula of Da Nang. — VNS Photo Cong Thanh

Total funds of nearly VND100 billion (US$4.4 million) have been planned for conservation, forest protection and afforestation as well as establishing new reserves on an area of 43,722ha including current nature reserves Son Tra, Ba Na-Nui Chua and Nam Hai Van, as well as South Hai Van forest.

According to local rangers, traps and illegal hunting are still found in the reserve, while many restaurants, resorts and villas have been built in the reserve.

Biologists warn that the development of concrete buildings will push the endangered primates into extinction.

A report from GreenViet unveiled that an estimated 30 per cent of the habitat of fauna and flora species has been damaged due to mass construction of resorts and buildings.

More than 85km of concrete roads have been built in Son Tra reserve to serve tourism, while 17 hotels and resorts were completed and 14 other projects are planned.

Mass construction of hotels and resorts have driven away primates and other wildlife from their habitat and isolated flocks from natural food chains that are available throughout the 4,300ha forest, according to biologist Tran Huu Vy.  VNS

Da Nang monkeys flood city in search of food

Hundreds of monkeys from the Son Tra Peninsula in Danang City have recently flocked into the city to seek food.

Sustainable protection needed for Son Tra Reserve

Human activities in the Son Tra Nature Reserve had changed the basic instincts of langurs and monkeys, while threatening the primate population with human-to-wildlife transmitted diseases, according to biologist Tran Huu Vy.