Developing a Community Project to Contribute to Biodiversity Conservation of Van Long Wetland Nature Reserve in Gia Vien District, Ninh Binh Province
Case Study C0234
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| Date | 2004 |
| Agency | Farmers' Association of Gia Van Commune |
| Donor/support agency | GEF SGP |
| Project type | Implemented by agency |
| Context(s) | Protected area |
| Geographic coverage | Viet Nam |
| Locality | Gia Vien District, Ninh Binh Province |
| Biodiversity focus | Species, Wetlands ecosystem |
| Development focus | Local communities |
| Conservation goals | Conserve the riverine wetland ecosystem of Van Long nature reserve |
| Poverty reduction goals | Create alternative livelihoods for the local community |
Summary
Van Long nature reserve is located in Gia Vien District, Ninh Binh Province, Viet Nam. The Reserve is home to the Delacour's langur which is listed by the IUCN as a critical endangered species and on the list of the 25 world's most endangered primate's species. Due to its low environmental awareness and low standard of living, the local community has overexploited the Reserve resources for their daily livelihoods, resulting in biodiversity loss and deforestation. In addition, illegal hunting from local residents and outsiders is also a big problem in the area and a major threat to biodiversity conservation.
In response to this situation, the Farmers' Association of Gia Van Commune, with the financial support of GEF SGP, launched in 2002 the project called 'Developing a Community Project to Contribute to Biodiversity Conservation of Van Long Wetland Nature Reserve in Gia Vien District, Ninh Binh Province'. The goal of this project is to develop a model of integrated conservation and development which promotes the community participation in the conservation and sustainable use of biological resources and the riverine wetland ecosystem of Van Long nature reserve. More specifically, the project focused on: 1) capacity building for the local communities and leaders in nature reserve management; 2) awareness raising and education activities for the long-term protection of the nature reserve; 3) establishing and testing an environmental education curriculum, using the nature reserve as an example for school teaching and learning activities on environment and biodiversity conservation; 4) creating alternative livelihoods for the local community to reduce community pressure on the Reserve resources, while at the same time contributing to poverty alleviation in the area.
Conservation impact
The following are some of the achievements of the project:
- 45 households were contracted to protect 2,000 ha of forest in the core zone and to plant 30 ha of indigenous trees
- the management and sustainable use of the wetland's natural resources were enhanced
- the understanding and knowledge of environmental issues of the project grantee organisation staff and of the local stakeholders were considerably enhanced.
Poverty reduction impact
The following are some of the achievements of the project:
- 400 households in 7 communes started raising Mong Cai productive pigs, with an average income increase of 1,500,000 VND per household
- some households maintained and developed the trade of bamboo mat making, earning an average additional income of about 200,000 VND and solving the unemployment issues during non-harvesting time
- the project budget for revolving loan programme was $23,164, and the repayment was 100%
- local people received training in: biogas installment, veterinary, forest protection, information collection, management of broadcasting systems, and environmental education.
Strategy for Conservation/Poverty Linkages
Provision of alternative livelihoods
Reference 1
http://sgp.undp.org/index.cfm?Module=Projects&Page=ShowProject&ProjectID=5159
Related records above this one:
- Global Environment Facility (GEF) (Organisation O0026)