Van Long Nature Reserve receives Green List certificate

To achieve the status, the Van Long Nature Reserve has to meet Green List global standards regarding good governance, good design and planning, effective management, and successful preservation results.

This is the result of joint efforts of the Van Long Nature Reserve management board, the expert assessment group for the Green List (EAGL), independent experts and relevant state agencies.

Currently, five protected areas in Vietnam have registered to join the Green List, namely Van Long Nature Reserve in Ninh Binh province, Con Dao National Park in Ba Ria-Vung Tau province, Cat Tien National Park in Dong Nai province, Pu Mat National Park in Nghe An province and Cuc Phuong National Park in Ninh Binh province.

The IUCN Green List is a set of global standards on successful conservation which are adjustable to local contexts of all countries and regions. It is a voluntary commitment to which any type of protected areas can participate; an independent, reliable assessment process; and global recognition for protected areas and their staff.

The Green List's set of criteria includes four components:  good governance, good design and planning, effective management, and successful preservation results.

A group of national EAGL experts and independent experts will assist and evaluate the progress of implementing the conservation goals associated with social and economic goals of each protected area.

According to IUCN, the Vietnamese Government has focused on building a system of protected areas with the establishment of the first forbidden forest of Cuc Phuong in 1962. So far there have been 168 special-use forests, including 33 national parks; 59 nature reserve areas; 13 species preservation areas; 9 nature reserves; 54 landscape protected areas.

Besides, there are 16 marine protected areas, 45 inland water areas and many other important wetland areas that have been planned, operated and are making great contributions to the biodiversity conservation of the country.

(Translated by Nguyen Thuy)