Natural resources in Vietnam

Uploaded on Oct 19, 2011
Forest-dependent people are largely missing out on new wealth generated through Vietnam's increased economic development. The Centre for Sustainable Development of Mountain Areas (CSDM) is promoting allocation of mountain areas to local people, helping local authorities and people address the issue of conflict in forest management. RECOFTC -- The Center for People and Forests partners with CSDM to translate findings of research on forests rights into practical recommendations for communities and policymakers. The two organizations are working together to help local people allocate forestland to households following their own recommendations. The communities in Lang Son seek to manage their forest resources in ways that will be beneficial to them now and their children in the future.

Produced and directed by:
RECOFTC -- The Center for People and Forests



Uploaded on Oct 19, 2011
Tram Chim National Park is one of two wetland preservation areas in a richly biodiverse part of Vietnam called the Plain of Reeds. In an effort to balance the difficult work of conservation with the demands of poor communities in the surrounding areas that depend on the park's resources for their livelihoods, Tram Chim is working on innovative ways to involve the local people in the conservation process. Community based sustainable use of natural resources is one approach the Park has begun to explore.

The park has been working with poor groups that demonstrate an interest in and commitment to resource conservation. The groups develop resource management plans that are reviewed and approved by park officials, granting the local people permission to enter the national park and gather sanctioned resources for their livelihoods. Since the inception of this system, park officials find their conservation and regulation work is much easier, and local people have greater incomes to provide more stability for their family. Villagers recognize the value of conserving resources today to ensure the abundance of resources will remain for future generations.

This project has been implemented by the park in cooperation with World Wildlife Fund funded by Coca-Cola and permitted by Dong Thap Provincial People Committee between 2008-2001. This film was produced by Institute of Tropical Biology in collaboration with Tram Chim National Park, RECOFTC - The Center for People and Forests, and The University of East Anglia, with financial support from the British Economic and Social Research Council.

Tram Chim National Park, Tam Nong district, Dong Thap province, Vietnam