Vietnam has abundant biodiversity and is one of Asia's richest centres of biodiversity with many endemic species. In the last ten years of the previous century, six new species of mammals and many other species were discovered here. This shows that there are many as yet undiscovered biodiversity resources in Vietnam.

So far, about 60 legislative documents related to the protection of biodiversity have been issued by the Government. Some policy measures have also been included in the long-term plans, but these are more passively mentioned than actively in these plans. Other policy measures have also been issued but with insufficient administrative measures that caused their ineffective implementation. Some policies have not enabled local communities to take part in conservation and development of biodiversity in an effective manner.

Although Government of Vietnam has expressed significant concern on protection of natural resources in general and biodiversity in particular, degradation of biodiversity continues unabated due to many factors. One of important measures for biodiversity protection is the involvement of people in biodiversity conservation.  Biodiversity conservation is the responsibility of all people, particularly of local communities living in areas adjacent to nature reserves. Education and awareness, as well as promotion of suitable conditions and upgrading life standards of communities in buffer zones are key factors to ensure successful conservation of biodiversity in the special use forests.

[Top]