Empowering Women, Improving Lives, and Conserving the Environment through Community Based Eco-business in Coastal Vietnam
Case Study C0277
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| Date | August 2007 |
| Agency | The Centre for Marinelife Conservation and Community Development (MCD) - Vietnam |
| Donor/support agency | European Commission Xuan Thuy National Park Management Board Women’s Association of Giao Xuan Commune, Nam Dinh Province, Vietnam Centre for Maritime Research- Maritime Anthropology Research Group (MARE), University of Amsterdam in the Neth |
| Project type | Implemented by agency |
| Context(s) | Protected area Productive landscape |
| Geographic coverage | Viet Nam |
| Locality | Giao Thuy District, Nam Dinh Province, Xuan Thuy National Park |
| Biodiversity focus | Coastal wetland ecosystem |
| Development focus | Local community |
| Conservation goals | Improve the management and conservation of Xuan Thuy National Park |
| Poverty reduction goals | Improve the livelihoods and quality of life of poor local coastal fisherwomen |
Summary
Xuan Thuy National park was recognised as a Ramsar Wetland of International Importance in 1989. Over the last decades, the national park has experienced ecosystems degradation, mainly caused by the clearing of large areas of mangrove forest and reed beds for aquaculture. Giao Xuan is one of 5 communes located in the buffer zone of Xuan Thuy National Park. MCD has been working in Giao Xuan community for several years and has recognised the need for alternative livelihoods to reduce pressure on fisheries and other natural resources for conservation of the National Park and to address poverty in the community. MCD has facilitated community-based ecotourism development through workshops about eco-business, community skills training, and environmental education. The CBET group has been set up and the community recently participated in piloting community-based ecotourism model. The CBET program is still developing and MCD is working on improving the model for CBET in the coastal areas of Vietnam.
Conservation impact
- More community members are becoming involved in conservation activities such as the bird protection club and coastal clean-ups
- Strengthened capacity building for natural resources management
Poverty reduction impact
- People (the poor women and fishers) are beginning to earn some income through the ecotourism and related businesses. The project created economic and income opportunities for the local people and households through providing CBET services (such as home-stay, food and beverage, local guide, cultural performance). It was reported that local people could also sell local products (such as fruit, rice, vegetables, fish sauce and other potential) for the visitors.
Strategy for Conservation/Poverty Linkages
Provision of alternative livelihoods
Local conservation enterprise opportunities
Other
Reference 1
http://www.mcdvietnam.org
Reference 2
http://www.delvnm.cec.eu.int/spf.htm
More information
Than Thi Hien, Research and Development Department
Email: tthien@mcdvietnam.org
Tang Thi Duyen Hong, Community Development Department
Email: tdhong@mcdvietnam.org
Related records above this one:
- European Commission (EC) (Organisation O0160)