VietNamNet Bridge - For protection and sustainable development of the important natural ecosystems, species and rare genetic resources, Vietnam plans to establish 41 new biodiversity reserves by 2020.

Cat Tien National Park is considered natural "treasure" of Vietnam with many rare species of plants and animals.

On Tuesday the General Department of Environment introduced the National Strategy on Biodiversity to 2020, with a vision to 2030.

Under this strategy, in 2020, the area of on-land nature reserves in Vietnam will reach 9 percent of the national territory; the area of marine nature reserves to reach 0.24 percent of the sea area; the forest coverage to be 45 percent; to have 10 Ramsar sites, 10 biosphere reserves and 10 ASEAN heritage parks.

The agency also published the draft master plan for biodiversity conservation in the country. Accordingly, Vietnam will establish 41 new reserves with a total area of 775,000ha. In 2030, Vietnam will set up 23 more reserves. Vietnam currently has 148 nature reserves.

Mr. Pham Anh Cuong, chief of the General Department of Environment said that Vietnam is a country with high biodiversity in the world, with many types of ecological habitats. Vietnam is among the 238 priority ecoregions recorded by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), in which many endemic and endangered species being named in the Red Book of Vietnam and the ICUN.

According to the Red Book of Vietnam 2007, the total number of endangered floral and fauna species in the wild is 882 (418 fauna and 464 floral species), up by 161 species compared to 1992. Nine species of animals are considered extinct in the wild in Vietnam.

Cuong said although the government has made great efforts in biodiversity conservation, Vietnam’s biodiversity is being degraded, caused by illegal and over-exploitation, trafficking and illegal trading and consumption of wild animals, the invasion of exotic species, habitat fragmentation due to conversion of land use, infrastructure and hydropower development.

Biodiversity is the foundation of a green economy. Biodiversity conservation is one of the key solutions to adapt and mitigate the effects of climate change. Conservation of biodiversity is associated with the sustainable use of biodiversity, contributing to reducing poverty and improving the quality of life.

Thu Ha