Participatory conservation needs assessment and participatory benefit assessment to prepare IUCN Green List for Van Long Nature Reserve in Ninh Binh province

From July 30 to July 31, 2019, at the meeting hall of Van Long Wetland Nature Reserve (NR), a consultation meeting for conservation needs assessment and conservation benefit assessment took place to prepare IUCN Green List. This is a support activity of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) conducted by Mr. Le Thien Duc, Deputy Director of Center for Nature conservation and development (CCD). Twenty-one participants attending the consultation meeting presented for the Van Long NR; Gia Vien district Forest Protection Department; Leaders of Gia Van commune, Leader of Gia Hoa commune; Van Long commune tourist station, representatives of village heads living in the NR and experts from CCD. The main objective of the workshop was to consult with Van Long NR and local stakeholders to assess conservation needs and the benefits of participatory protected areas to the economic, social, ecological and stakeholder interests that are considered in governance and protection of Van Long NR. At the meetings, Mr. Le Thien Duc – Deputy Director of CCD introduced IUCN’s Green List as well as the benefits for National Parks and Protected Areas if achieving this title. Specifically, this list helps stakeholders: (i) Identify good practices in natural resource management; (ii) A diagnostic tool for targeted actions and capacity development for better results; (iii) Provide evidence to public investors and see for themselves that conservation outcomes have been achieved; (iv) Provide information proving to contribute to global biodiversity goals. During the consultation meeting, a lot of useful information was shared openly by participants related to conservation values, threats, conservation goals, stakeholders, and community benefits when participating in conservation work. This is a significant input to complete the IUCN Green List criteria. Besides, the participation of many representatives of the related parties contributes to ideas and discussions to help gather information more specific and accurate. If the IUCN Green List records meet the criteria and indicators that demonstrate conservation effectiveness and are approved and approved by the approval council, Van Long Wetland Nature Reserve will be one of the nature reserves. Vietnam’s first to achieve this title. This will be a great motivation for Van Long Nature Reserve and other stakeholders to be more active in the activities to conserve the Delacour’s Leaf Monkey population and to sustainably develop the largest karst, wetland ecosystem in Vietnam. At the same time, this title will inspire other National Parks or Reserves to follow.