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WWF teams up with national park in Vietnam to secure marine biodiversity
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam - WWF and Vietnam's Con Dao National Park have announced steps to conserve marine biodiversity off the country's south-eastern coast.
The national park, comprising 20,000ha of protected areas � 14,000ha at sea and 6,000ha on land � is rich in wildlife, including dugongs, marine turtles, dolphins and coral reef, as well as endemic orchid species.
"The Con Dao National Park is globally significant because of its marine life and terrestrial habitat," said park director Le Xuan Ai.
"We hope to ensure the protection and sustainability of the park by strengthening local capacity for biodiversity conservation, and improving the integration of conservation into development planning."
To achieve this, the three-year project will implement many activities including: marine protected area management and planning; monitoring programmes; ecosystem rehabilitation; education and awareness programmes; alternative livelihoods initiatives; sustainable tourism strategies; and the establishment of a sustainable financing mechanism for biodiversity conservation.
A community advisory group has also been established to help develop strategies for linking community development and sustainable livelihoods into biodiversity conservation.
"It is critical that more attention be given to the park's environmental and social impacts in order to ensure that the spectacular marine biodiversity at Con Dao is maintained, that sustainable use is achieved, and that local communities will benefit from sustainable economic growth," said Keith Symington, WWF Vietnam Marine Programme Coordinator.
"WWF and Con Dao National Park have enjoyed a strong working relationship and partnership on conservation and sustainable use for over ten years. We are very excited to contribute to this project, since we know very well the potential for balancing conservation and economic development at Con Dao."
END NOTES:
The project, Coastal and marine biodiversity conservation and sustainable use in the Con Dao Islands Region � funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and the Danish International Development Agency (DANIDA) � is being executed by the Con Dao National Park, on behalf of the Ba Ria Vung Tau Province, and implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). WWF Vietnam is providing technical support for the project.
For further information:
Keith Symington, Marine Programme Coordinator
WWF Greater Mekong - Vietnam Country Programme
Tel: (844) 719 3049
Email: keith.symington@wwfgreatermekong.org
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