Seminar on Environment and Development in Vietnam

Friday and Saturday, December 6-7, 1996

Common Room, University House,
and J G Crawford Building, National Centre for Development Studies,
Australian National University

BACK TO INDEX

Keynote paper: Biodiversity and biodiversity loss

Mr Vu Ngoc Thanh,
Faculty of Biology, National University of Vietnam - Hanoi

Abstract

Vietnam is ecologically both diverse and unique. Many plants and animals, endemic to Vietnam's northern and central highlands, are in danger of extinction from environmental destruction. The variety of Vietnam's biology complicates the problem both in necessary research and in law enforcement.

The number of illegal residents in forested provinces has increased in recent years, adding to destruction. Management of nature reserves and parks is inadequate. Of the now 90 parks and reserves, only 47 have a management board. And even these managed reserves are poorly equipped. Rangers often are unpaid so their actions may be ineffective - or worse.

Wildlife poaching is a serious problem. In spite of legislation to the contrary, weapons remain largely uncontrolled. Local people can collect forest products without difficulty. Wildlife trade occurs openly hamlets as well as cities, in disregard of Forest Protection Department and police. Few resources exist to care for confiscated animals or prepare them for re-release. Most parks and zoos can no longer accept the large number of confiscated animals coming to them. Diseased or weakened animals are unacceptable for return to the forest - ecologically speaking, they are already dead. So these animals often are returned to dealers who need pay only a small fine. Generally, only insignificant rewards can be offered for information leading to the capture of wildlife exploiters or illegal loggers. Traders may barter with poor, ethnic minority people to collect forest products inexpensively.

Some 70% of animal trade in Vietnam, including animals from Laos and Cambodia, is illegally exported. Most of this trade is through Vietnam's porous northern borders. The remainder become food, medicines or other products within Vietnam.

Solutions are not easy. Law enforcement needs better resources and education, and methods should be modified to address inadequacies at the local level. Local people need better environment awareness education. The illegal export of wildlife, and in particular any access to air transport, must be controlled.

Mr Vu Ngoc Thanh
Department of Vertebrate Zoology
Faculty of Biology
National University of Ha Noi
90 Nguyen Trai
Dong Da - Ha Noi
Viet Nam

Tel: +84 (4) 85-82331w 85-11389h
Fax: +84 (4) 85-82069
Email: vnthanh@vze-hu.ac.vn