WESTERN NGHE AN BIOSPHERE RESERVE REVIEWS A DECADE OF PROGRESS AND SETS PRIORITIES FOR THE NEXT TEN YEARS

On 17 September, the Nghe An provincial People’s Committee convened a consultation meeting on the 2017–2027 Periodic Review Report for Western Nghe An Biosphere Reserve and its development priorities for the next ten years. The report was prepared by Center for Nature Conservation and Development (CCD) in collaboration with central agencies and local authorities.

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Figure 1: Vice Chairman of Nghe An Provincial People’s Committee Nguyen Van De chairs the conference.

Figure 2: The conference receives valuable comments and recommendations from experts and representatives of provincial departments and agencies, as well as protected areas located within the core zones of Western Nghe An Biosphere Reserve.

Figure 3: Participants engage in discussions on the future development orientations of Western Nghe An Biosphere Reserve, contributing to the refinement of the Periodic Review Report.

Figure 4:A CCD expert presents the Periodic Review Report.

At the meeting, CCD experts presented the report, drawing on document reviews, field surveys, and updated information from local authorities, agencies, organizations, and communities. The assessment considered the seven criteria for biosphere reserves and their three functions: conservation, development, and logistic support. It provided a comprehensive assessment of environmental, economic, cultural, social, and management dimensions across nearly 1.3 million hectares, encompassing 65 communes and more than one million residents within The Biosphere Reserve.

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Figure 5: The conference receives valuable comments and recommendations from experts and representatives of provincial departments and agencies, as well as protected areas located within the core zones of Western Nghe An Biosphere Reserve.

Figure 6: Nguyen Danh Hung, Deputy Director of Nghe An Department of Agriculture and Environment and Chief of Office of the Management Board of Western Nghe An Biosphere Reserve, shares insights into the preparation of the Periodic Review Report.

Figure 7: The conference receives valuable comments and recommendations from experts and representatives of provincial departments and agencies, as well as protected areas located within the core zones of Western Nghe An Biosphere Reserve.

The findings highlight substantial achievements in nature and biodiversity conservation during the 2017–2027 review period. Forest cover increased by more than 105,900 hectares, while the number of recorded animal and plant species rose from 3,961 to 5,105. Hundreds of animals were rescued and released back into the wild. Technologies were increasingly applied to remote sensing, wildlife and plant monitoring, biodiversity data management, and early warning of threats. Forest-related violations declined, and forest loss caused by agricultural cultivation ceased.

 According to the report, The Biosphere Reserve also made significant progress in cultural conservation, socioeconomic development, community livelihoods, and tourism, while expanding research, education, and international cooperation.

 Despite these positive results, The Biosphere Reserve continues to face pressures from hydropower development, which fragments and alters ecosystems and weakens their resilience to natural disasters and climate change. Other challenges include ongoing mineral extraction, livelihood difficulties in some buffer zone communities, and limited dedicated staffing.

 Incorporating feedback from the meeting, CCD will finalize the ten-year Periodic Review Report for Western Nghe An Biosphere Reserve. The report will provide a foundation for further promoting the area’s values and addressing outstanding challenges during the 2027–2037 period.