On October 26, Center for Nature Conservation and Development (CCD) cooperated with SMEC VIETNAM JSC and Me Linh Station for Biodiversity to plant 300 large timber trees, in contribution to the forest restoration, especially to elevate the biodiversity and protection values of upstream watershed forest in the Station. The collective of indigenous, large timber species play an important role in the habitat of the local wildlife, as well as increasing the forest coverage, regulating climate, adapting to hazardous weather and climate change.   From left to right:Picture 1: Join hands in planting, protecting forest and biodiversity!Picture 2: A forest starts with one tree!@CCD/2023 In the joint effort of reforestation, habitat restoration across the country, CCD has been cooperating with individuals, groups, and units in the public and private sector to plant trees for the last 5 years and onward. This activity is part of the Awareness and Public responsibility Enhancement program in biodiversity, preventing forest degradation and loss in Vietnam. Picture 3: Participation in planting and restoring forest for A GREEN VIETNAM!@CCD/2023

The Trang An Landscape Complex (Trang An) is recognized as World Heritage Site by The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) – a first mixed cultural and natural property. Since the title attained, tourist traffic has accelerated anually in Trang An and Ninh Binh as a whole. From left to rightPicture 1: Thien Ha Grotto Ecotourism Area – Trang An Landscape ComplexPicture 2: Thung Nham Bird Park – Thung Nhan Ecotourism Zone ©CCD/2023 Within the framework of Resolution 42 COM 7B.62 of the World Heritage Committee dated 24/06/2018, Center for Nature Conservation and Development (CCD) cooperated with Ninh Binh Department of Tourism and Trang An Landscape Complex Management Board to assess carrying capacity at Thung Nham Ecotourism Zone and Thien Ha Grotto Ecotourism Area. The assessment is designed for Trang An to harness and manage the number of visitors more appropriately, ensuring the capacity limit, thereby reducing impacts, and preserving the value of destinations. Picture 3: A meeting between CCD and the Thung Nhan Ecotourism Zone©CCD/2023 To continue the work from 2022, in 2023, the carrying capacity assessment at Thung Nham Ecotourism Zone and Thien Ha Grotto Ecotourism Area is part of the plan to cover every critical destinations in Trang An. The assessment is considered a regular activity in the sustainable management and exploitation, closely associated with environmental protection and conservation the values of Trang An. From left to rightPicture 4: Environmental monitoring and assessment of the carrying capacity in Thung Nham Ecotourism ZonePicture 5: Environmental monitoring and assessment of the carrying capacity in Thien Ha Grotto Ecotourism Area©CCD/2023 With the vision towards sustainable exploitation and management in tourism destinations, CCD cooperates with partners to enhance management processes, thus ensuring the coherence of tourism products and the values of destinations, promoting the education while embracing tourist’s experience.

Agricultural – rural tourism are flourishing in Vietnam. These type of tourism are effective in providing jobs and increasing income for local communities, especially in attractive destinations. Picture 1: Beautiful landscape of Yen Thinh commune, Huu Lung district, Lang Son province, Photo: Tourism Promotion Center As a part of the Rural Tourism Development Program in Yen Thinh commune, from October 3 to 5, 2023, Center for Nature Conservation and Development (CCD) coordinated with the Tourism Promotion Center of Lang Son province and Yen Thinh commune to organize training on elevate agricultural – rural tourism in this idyllic commune. The training shared exemplars, experiences in developing agricultural – rural tourism, enhancing human resources, and enriching knowledge in management and operation of agricultural – rural tourism models for commune-level officials. Picture 2: Discussion on agricultural - rural tourism potential in Yen Thinh commune@CCD/2023 Within the framework of the cooperation, CCD developed a set of documents on agricultural – rural tourism development and organized training courses for local people and commune officials, contributing to the economic – culture development, facilitating poverty reduction and elimination sustainable development in Yen Thinh commune. Picture 3: The training gathered enthusiastic participants @CCD/2023 With its vision, CCD continues to collaborate with Tourism Promotion Center of Lang Son Province and potential partners in Vietnam in planning and developing agricultural – rural tourism as part of new countryside construction, social welfare, increasing incomes and improving the environmental quality and living space in rural areas.

On October 5, Center for Nature Conservation and Development (CCD) with representatives from the Sustainable Forest Management and Biodiversity Conservation (VFBC) and Biodiversity Conservation Activity (USAID BCA) organized a meeting with Vu Quang National Park to finalize the workplan and implementation process of the project “Conservation of the White-cheeked Gibbon (Nomascus leucogenys) in Vu Quang National Park, Ha Tinh Province”. The project is within the framework of USAID BCA of VFBC Project funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) From left to rightPicture 1: CCD, Vu Quang National Park and Species Conservation Fund (SCF) representatives in the meetingPicture 2: Working with Saola Ranger Station © CCD/2023 Picture 3: Northern white-cheeked gibbon (Nomascus leucogenys) © CCD/2023 Northern white-cheeked gibbon is listed as Endangered (EN) in the Vietnam Red Data Book (2007); belongs to group IB of Decree No. 84/2021/ND-CP; and Critically Endangered (CR) in IUCN Red List (IUCN, 2022). Previous studies have preliminarily identified Vu Quang National Park as one of the important distribution areas of this species in Vietnam, but no thorough study exists to date. Therefore, CCD will support Vu Quang National Park to develop a research program and a complete database of the Northern white-cheeked gibbon, along with long-term communication programs to mitigate impacts on the gibbon populations and other endangered species in Vu Quang. The project will be implemented for 12 months during 2023 – 2024, including surveys in Vu Quang National Park and communication activities in local villages and schools in the buffer zone. Picture 4, 5: Magnificent landscape in Vu Quang National Park © CCD/2023 With the vision to conserve value of nature and biodiversity, CCD is implementing cooperative conservation programs for critical ecosystems and species in Vietnam including elephants, big cats, small carnivores, ungulates and endangered primates, wild birds and threatened plant species. For the effective conservation, CCD is promoting community tourism, ecotourism activities in special-use forests as an effective method to generate revenue for conservation and sustain livelihood for communities, thus reducing  the dependence on forest and natural resources.

On October 02, in Thanh Hoa province, Sustainable Forest Management and Biodiversity Conservation in Vietnam (VFBC) coordinated with Center for Nature Conservation and Development (CCD), Xuan Lien Nature Reserve Management Board - Thanh Hoa province and other stakeholders to organize consultation meeting on transferring category from Xuan Lien Nature Reserve to a new National Park. Among protected areas in the North Central Coast, Xuan Lien Nature Reserve is important with its diverse fauna, flora, some are endemic species, listed as global threatened. The Nature Reserve is saturated with scientific value, magnificent landscape, and the potential of tourism development. It is necessary to transfer Xuan Lien Nature Reserve to a new National Park to utilize investment in diversity conservation, habitat restoration, thus enhancing ecosystem services which Xuan Lien provides. (from left to right) Some endangered, precious and rare species of Xuan Lien Nature Reserve:1. Northern white-cheeked gibbon ( Nomascus leucogenys) 2. Indochinese box turtle (Cuora galbinifrons) 3. Camellia annamensis ( © CCD) In the meeting, representatives from people’s committees, people councils, functional sectors, departments, scientific units, and the Department of Forestry agreed with the transfering category and recommending People’s Committee of Thanh Hoa province to review and submit to the government for comments, thus promote and strengthen advantages and values which Xuan Lien possessed. The workshop is a part of submission procedure to Ministry of Agriculture and Rural development for the permission to transfer category for Xuan Lien Nature Reserve to National Park( © CCD) In the forthcoming cooperation, CCD continues to support Xuan Lien in the transferring process, with a vision to attract investors, advancing capacity for staffs, implementing innovative technology for effective forest management, protection, and developing sustainable and responsible tourism. With the successful transfer, Xuan Lien National Park will have more opportunities to strengthen its role as watershed protection forest upstream of Chu river and related dams, safeguarding productive bases along the stream.

On September 15, 2023, representatives of Hue city hosted a provincial consultation meeting on the tourism development plan in Bach Ma National Park, Phong Dien Nature Reserve, Sao La Nature Reserve for the 2023 – 2030 period. Contributing to the finalization of the plan, the event gathered Department of Forestry representatives, Agriculture and Rural Development departments, Tourism departments, and many representatives from companies, provinces, tourism associations, travel agencies in Vietnam. Picture 1: Experts and delegates gathering in the meeting (photo: CCD) Tourism in special-use forests in Vietnam has developing potentials but some are obstructed with issues in planning, management, and harnessing. By not utilizing tourism for environmental education, raising awareness of the public for the ultimate benefit of nature, protected areas are missing a sustainable income. Addressing the underuse of tourism, tourism development plans, with an intelligible vision and comprehensive strategy, will support protected areas in propagandizing its unique features, accelerating tourist traffic, and generating income for better management, forest protection, biodiversity conservation,…  In the meeting, experts and delegates shared initiatives and comments to strengthen ecotourism in 3 sites with strategic and effective methods, tackled issues in planning, land use, building infrastructure for tourism development as well as mobilizing resources, considering the challenges and competitive status of Thua Thien Hue in the sector. Picture 2: Dr. Nguyen Manh Ha - Director of CCD shares the vision in sustainable, responsible tourism development in 3 special-use forests: Sao La, Bach Ma, Phong Dien (photo: CCD) The key solution for tourism development in protected areas of Thua Thien Hue is encouraging investments from the private sector to develop infrastructure and connect tourism destinations, thus attracting tourists. In addition, tourism activities must be strictly managed to not create a negative impact to the natural cycles of wildlife in those sites. Substantially, tourism development needs a vision of professionalism, equity, sustainability, and responsibility. Picture 3: Mr. Nguyen Van Phuc - Director of Tourism Department of Thua Thien Hue shares directions in tourism development in special-use forests in the province (photo: CCD) With the efforts and determination of the government, management boards, investors and communities, ecotourism activities will soon be developed effectively, contributing to raising public awareness of the importance of forest ecosystems,  biodiversity values, and sustainable revenue generation for forest owners and communities through quality and responsible tourism products.

In September, Center for Nature Conservation and Development (CCD) cooperated with Hanoi Wildlife Rescue Center and Xuan Lien Nature Reserve – Thanh Hoa province to release 31 wild animals back to their home. These are listed in Vietnam’s Red Data Book (2007), IUCN Red list and protected by Vietnamese regulations. In this occasion, the indochinese box turtles (Cuora galbinifrons) had the most individuals and is the most time-consuming species to be released. Not only ensuring they are released in readily appropriate habitat and biological characteristics, but CCD’s staffs prepared for the monitoring process in the long-term. Nhan Dan Newspaper posted a detail journey of indochinese box turtle’s homecoming. This article represents the cooperative vision of CCD in conservation, restoration, and wildlife crime confrontation projects with potential partners. Link to the article: https://nhandan.vn/anh-hanh-trinh-ve-nha-cua-rua-hop-tran-vang-mien-bac-post772804.html

In September 2023, Center for Nature Conservation and Development (CCD) organized a consultation meeting, in coordination with Management Board of Song Thanh National Park, Elephant Species and Habitat Conservation Area, and Sustainable Forest Management and Biodiversity Conservation (VFBC) Project Management Board at Quang Nam province on building a tourism development plan for Song Thanh National Park and Elephant Species and Habitat Conservation Area for the 2023–2030 period. More than 30 delegates participated in the meeting, including representatives of departments, branches, and districts of Quang Nam Province and tourism experts. Picture 1: Delegates attending the meeting©️CCD/2023 During the meeting, CCD shared the potential, vision as well as challenges for tourism development at Song Thanh National Park and Elephant Species and Habitat Conservation Area. In regard to both special-use forests being established a few years ago, there is a lack of resources and experience in developing and attracting investment for tourism. Picture 2: Associate Professor Pham Hong Long, Head of CCD's tourism expert group, shared the projects.©️CCD/2023 In contribution to the tourism development plan, the meeting gathered comments, solutions on potential tourist spots, specific types of tourism products, and the resource mobilization mechanism in Song Thanh National Park, Elephant Species and Habitat Conservation Area. Overall, 02 special-use forests need long-term investment sources, with responsible development strategy. In addition, tourism in both special-use forests needs a coherence among important tourist destinations in Quang Nam, such as Hoi An, My Son, and other provinces, to increase the number of tourists. The plan also aims to utilize unique features in local custom, thus making benefits to the communities and reducing forest dependence. From left to right:Picture 3: Mr. Do Van Ngoc, Project Coordinator, shared the project implementation process and WWF's support.Picture 4: Mr. Nguyen Thanh Hong, Director of the Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism of Quang Nam Province contributed to the finalization of the projects©️CCD/2023 In the course of its works, CCD aims to support national parks, nature reserves, and forest management board in Vietnam to develop tourism development strategies. CCD believes tourism is an effective tool to raise public awareness and responsibility toward environment protection. Tourism supports conservation, creating revenue for management and conservation activities, andgenerating prosperous opportunities for local communities.

In Vietnam, ivory poaching, war, habitat loss, human-elphant conflict are the main causes for the decrease of wild elephants to only 5 recorded populations left at present. In addition, captive elephants are limited in number and distribution. With challenges restrain the thriving future of elephants in Vietnam, the conversation between Dr. Nguyen Manh Ha – Director of Center for Nature Conservation and Development and Nhan Dan Newspaper addressed factors associated with the status and possible solutions for human and elephant to co-exist and harmonize. Detailed article is below. (banner image: ©Nguyen Van Cuong) https://nhandan.vn/viet-nam-can-dua-ra-ke-hoach-bao-ton-voi-bai-ban-va-quyet-liet-hon-post767908.html

Bac Ha district is located in the northeast of Lao Cai province and is one of the recognized tourist attraction & potential tourism sites in Northern mountainous area. In the past ten years, with the advantages of cool climatic condition, natural landscape and unique culture, Bac Ha tourism has constantly developed and recognized by the public. Bac Ha protection forest is located on the administrative boundaries of 18 communes and towns with an area of 15,662.04 ha of forest and forestry land. In Bac Ha protection forest, there are various areas with magnificent landscapes, unique forests which can be proposed as new eco-tourism destinations such as Cave of Angels (Hang Tien), the Chay River, the ancient forest, Mount of the Queen (Nữ Hoàng Peak). In addition to those valuable tourist sites, there are other existing famous tourist attractions in Bac Ha district that will offer tourist a wide variety of choice when they visit the district. (from left to right)Picture 1: A view from the Mount of the Queen (©CCD/2023)Picture 2: Part of the Chay River, a potential tourism site (©CCD/2023) Besides the cultural values, Bac Ha protection forest also has diverse natural values that can be used as new tourist attractions such as the ancient forest where there are hundreds of giant ironwood with more than 3m in diameter and many other iconic species of flora and fauna. With the beautiful forest habitats, between cool climates and fresh air and cultural features, the unique architecture ethnic minority communities villages once would be well-exploited will greatly support a flourishing tourism of the Bac Ha district. (from left to right)Picture 3: Meeting with Bac Ha protection forest and Bac Ha District tourism authority (©CCD/2023)Picture 4: Discussion community to explore ecotourism potentials (©CCD/2023) The Center for Nature Conservation and Development (CCD) is collaborating with Bac Ha protection forest to analyze the current tourism status and identify potentials for planning a new ecotourism strategy in Bac Ha protection forest. The plan will aim to boost the community-based and ecotourism potentials in the protection forest. The ecotourism will promote the public awareness on biodiversity values and offering local community new livelihood, and improving the living standards of local people, especially ethnic minority communities. With its mission, CCD will continue to assist protected areas in Vietnam, especially in Bac Ha protection forest to plan and advance eco-tourism activities more sustainably and responsibly; more importantly ensuring the harmony between conservation and development and promoting a strong sense of responsibility and the human-nature connection.

Xuan Lien Nature Reserve (NR) is located at the upstream of the Chu river, northwest of Thanh Hoa province, Vietnam. This area is well known for its high biodiversity and also inhabitant of many endemic, endangered faunas and floras, including Nomascus leucogenys, Trachypithecus phayrei, Muntiacus rooseveltorum, Cunninghamia konishii, Cinnamomum balansae, etc. and many other rare faunas and floras .  Xuan Lien NR has the highest biodiversity value in northern Vietnam, however, it has only 33 official officers including administrative and forest protection officers. Those officers have to manage a large area of forest which is one of the difficulties of not only Xuan Lien but also others special use and protection forest management boards, therefore, it affects efficiency of forest, forest biodiversity monitoring activities, and violation prevention, etc. To support special use and protection forest management board in monitoring forest, and forest biodiversity, and also standardizing the patrol and reporting system, SMART and Global Forest Watch (GFW) were applied for Xuan Lien NR, Thuong Xuan Protection Forest Management Board (Thuong Xuan PFMB), and community patrol teams of those management boards. Those applications can enhance not only the quality of the patrol activities, collecting, and managing information, but also synchronize, and unify data among forest rangers, forest protection officers, and community patrol teams. Therefore, the management planning activities of stations, community patrol teams as well as managing data and writing reports become easier and more efficient.  from left to right:Picture 1: Training on implementation and utilization of SMART and GFW app for Thuong Xuan Protection Forest Management BoardPicture 2: Training on implementation and utilization of SMART and GFW app for community patrol teams in communes in the buffer zone of Xuan Lien Nature Reserve(©CCD/2023) Center for Nature Conservation and Development (CCD) cooperated with Xuan Lien NR and Thuong Xuan PFMB to organize training sessions on using SMART and introducing the GFW platform in March and April 2023. The participants included community patrol teams from 7 communes located in the buffer zone of Xuan Lien NR, and staff from 6 forest management and protection stations under the Thuong Xuan PFMB. CCD also supports Xuan Lien NR and Thuong Xuan PFMB to build and finalize the standard SMART data model. Picture 3: Trainings promote the coherence between operation of the digital tools and practical utilization. (©CCD/2023) To increase the proficiency of the implementation, CCD will continue to repeat training activities, support the management boards to update data models, reports forms and also participate in periodic patrols with patrol teams to guide them collecting data in the correct procedure. Digitization and application of technology significantly improve forest management activities, and reporting systems, it also supports monitoring and managing patrol teams while they are on the field. CCD will continue to support NRs, and special use forest management boards in Thanh Hoa province and all over the country to enhance management activities, effectively apply patrolling and monitoring tools, and promote the participation of communities in protecting forest and biodiversity.

Climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution are environmental crises which share close connections and directly impact human health, especially increasing chances of the pandemic outbreak. Among the perplexity of environmental crises, humans are the cause and victim. To address the challenges, strong and collaborative measures are needed among the government, environment protection organizations, business and private sector as well as the public. To effectively restore the key ecosystems, forests, wild areas, and species, business and private sector are the important part of protection forces by contributing financially and investing in environment management, developing new technologies and practices available to support environment protection efforts. Dr. Nguyen Manh Ha - Director of CCD discuss Vietnam’s environment issues with students of Osnabrück University of Applied Science(©CCD/2023) Recognizing the important of the social engaging in environment protection, in May, Center for Nature Conservation and Development (CCD) collaborated with Goethe Institut Hanoi and Osnabrück University of Applied Sciences – Germany to convene a workshop on promote corporate social responsibility (CSR) and business engagement on environment issues in Vietnam and the planet as a whole. Students from Osnabrück discuss the perplexity of Vietnam and Germany’s environment issues, thus proposing solutions and initiatives to promote corporate social responsibility (CSR) of the private sector and business companies.(©CCD/2023) The workshop was not only to discuss Vietnam’s environment issues, but to promote engagement between Osnabrück’s students and Vietnamese public, thus promoting the inclusive communication, awareness raising, nurturing solutions and initiatives for the environment protection in Vietnam.