LAUNCHING THE 10-YEAR PERIODIC REVIEW OF THE TAY NGHE AN BIOSPHERE RESERVE
Designated by UNESCO in 2007, the Tay Nghe An Biosphere Reserve is the largest biosphere reserve in Vietnam, spanning nearly 1.3 million hectares across nine mountainous districts in western Nghe An province. This region is recognized for its exceptional biodiversity, rich indigenous cultures, and the close interconnection between local communities and nature.
In accordance with UNESCO’s requirements, all biosphere reserves are subject to a periodic review every 10 years to assess the implementation of their three core functions:
- Conservation – contributing to the preservation of landscapes, ecosystems, species, and genetic resources
- Development – fostering sustainable economic, socio-cultural, and ecological development
- Logistic support – facilitating research, environmental education, training, and monitoring for sustainable development at local, regional, national, and global levels
To support this review, Center for Nature Conservation and Development (CCD) is collaborating with the Reserve Management Board to conduct field surveys, collect relevant data, and engage directly with local communities in the buffer and transition zones. The goal is to:
- Document indigenous knowledge and human–nature interactions
- Assess key changes in natural, social, and institutional conditions from 2017 to 2026
- Prepare the official 10-year review report to be submitted to UNESCO in 2027
We hope the exciting findings from this recent assessment will provide the local management board and the communities with valuable data to support sustainable socio-economic development — in harmony with the mission to protect this unique ecosystem.