Multi-party working group protecting forests in Lam Dong

Within the framework of the Project "Sustainable Forest Management and Biodiversity Conservation" (VFBC) funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), WWF's "Biodiversity Conservation" component has just launched the "Multi-party cooperative management forum working group on forest protection" pilot model at Bidoup - Nui Ba National Park and Da Nhim Watershed Protection Forest Management Board, period 2023 - 2025.

The working group was established by the Chairman of Lac Duong District People's Committee, based on close coordination between local authorities, forest owners, and local communities, forest protection contracting groups of Bidoup - Nui Ba National Park, Da Nhim Watershed Protection Forest Management Board and agencies and organizations of the district and the authorities of Da Sar, Da Nhim and Da Chais communes.

The specific objectives of the working group include assessing the situation, preparing reports, providing information, proposing solutions, planning and organising management dialogue and cooperation forums on forest protection, and conserving biodiversity to minimize disagreements between the rights of residential communities and forest management units.

The "Biodiversity Conservation" component has supported similar pilot models in several conservation areas in the list of 21 areas in the Project area in Vietnam. The Working Group includes representatives from the People's Committees of Da Chais, Da Sar, Da Nhim communes, Bidoup-Nui Ba National Park, Da Nhim Watershed Protection Forest Management Board, Lac Duong District Forest Ranger Department, Lac Duong District Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, Commune Women's Union and, in particularly, the participation of representatives of local communities.

"International practice shows that the management of Protected Areas will be more effective and successful if local communities are involved in finding solutions to conservation challenges.

The establishment of the Multi-Party Cooperation Group on Forest Protection demonstrates the commitment of the Natural Reserve Management Boards and local authorities to constantly improve standards of forest management and biodiversity conservation", Mr. Nick Cox, Director of USAID's Biodiversity Conservation Component, WWF shared.

"Although there have been many multi-party cooperation models on forest protection in the past, they were mainly operated by state officials. If the pilot model with people's participation is successful, it will create a foundation for Forest management boards. They can consider replicating and maintaining independent financial resources to protect natural resources for the future," said Mr Le Van Huong, Director of Bidoup-Nui Ba National Park.

The "Biodiversity Conservation" component commits to achieving the goal of improving forest quality and protecting wildlife populations, consequently bringing benefits to the local community and expanding to the entire society in Vietnam.