BRINGING THE NATURE OF PU HUONG CLOSER TO BUFFER-ZONE COMMUNITIES

Pu Huong Nature Reserve in Nghe An province is home to diverse wildlife, including many plant and animal species protected under Vietnamese law and threatened with extinction globally. However, its biodiversity remains under considerable pressure. Stronger support from buffer-zone communities is essential, particularly as many local households continue to depend on forest resources for their livelihoods.

Figure 1: Local residents discuss the significance of the exhibition, nature, and biodiversity conservation at Pu Huong Nature Reserve

Figure 2: Young visitors explore the world of wildlife

To bring the nature of Pu Huong closer to buffer-zone communities and raise awareness of the importance of conservation in the area, in July, experts from Center for Nature Conservation and Development (CCD), in collaboration with Pu Huong Nature Reserve, organized the photo exhibition “The Path to Survival of Wildlife” in six buffer-zone communes: Muong Chong, Muong Ham, Muong Quang, Binh Chuan, Hung Chan, and Nga My.

Figure 3: The exhibition attracts strong interest from the local community

Figure 4: Local residents express their commitment to nature conservation through drawings

The exhibition took visitors on a journey from the natural habitats of Pu Huong to the threats facing its wildlife, including forest loss, illegal hunting, and trapping, before introducing actions they could take to help. The experience was designed to guide visitors from appreciation and understanding to a commitment to nature conservation and broader community participation. Over its eight-day run, the exhibition attracted nearly 1,000 visits from residents of the buffer-zone communities.

Throughout its work, CCD has consistently worked alongside national parks, nature reserves, and local authorities to communicate stories about nature in a scientifically sound and accessible manner; share legal provisions concerning biodiversity conservation; and highlight urgent environmental issues such as forest loss, the overexploitation of natural resources, and extreme natural disasters. Through these efforts, CCD helps raise public awareness and encourage local communities to participate in protecting nature.