Vietnam is a beautiful and special place where you can explore this beautiful site with Vietnam Trips. Vietnam has a lot of different varieties of plants and animals. This place is one of the countries that have the highest biodiversity in the world with more than 11,000 species of higher vascular plants, 1,000 species of moss, 310 species of mammals, 840 species of birds, 296 reptiles, 192 amphibians, over 700 freshwater fish species, and approximately 2,000 saltwater fish species.
The Vietnamese share a unique tradition of using wildlife products for food and medicine. In addition, because Vietnam’s economy is still underdeveloped, around 25 million people depend on forest products and 8 million people make a living from fishing leading to hunting, animal husbandry, and wildlife trade on a small scale, making it difficult to control.
In such a situation Vietnam’s Government decided to raise wildlife conservation efforts to protect their endangered species. Visit Cat Tien National Park in Vietnam if you are a nature or animal lover.
List Of Efforts Used For Wildlife Preservation In Vietnam:
- Government Intentions For Wildlife Preservation In Vietnam
- Support From National And International Organizations
- New Sources Of Finance For Sustainable Wildlife Preservation In Vietnam
- Improved Awareness Of Biodiversity And Wildlife Preservation In Vietnam
1. Government Intentions For Wildlife Preservation In Vietnam
Vietnam made rules to protect wildlife back in the 2000s, and they keep updating them to fit what’s happening in Vietnam and the international agreements they’re a part of, like CBD and CITES. Also, the Vietnamese government wants to use digital technology to help take care of wildlife better.
For Wildlife Preservation in Vietnam, the government has launched six laws about wildlife in different areas like forests, animals, investments, fishing, and importing and exporting things.
Vietnam is working harder to manage how they use and trade wild animals and plants. They’ve noticed more animals and plants are being bred and grown legally instead of being taken from the wild. This has helped create jobs and money for families and communities in different areas, helping to make life better and reduce poverty.
2. Support From National And International Organizations
Vietnam gets help from many groups around the world to protect its wildlife and natural areas. This support helps the government make better conservation plans and teaches people why biodiversity, national parks, and protected areas are important for making life better for everyone.
Besides international groups, local organizations are also joining in. These groups, called NGOs, help watch over wildlife trade and breeding, which makes it easier for the laws to be followed.
3. New Sources Of Finance For Wildlife Preservation In Vietnam
Vietnam is looking for new ways to get money for protecting wildlife. They’re thinking about things like green bonds and getting money from businesses to help with wildlife conservation. Also, international groups are giving more money for wildlife research, especially because of COVID-19, to help make sure there aren’t more pandemics in the future.
4. Improved Awareness Of Biodiversity And Wildlife Preservation In Vietnam
Younger people in Vietnam are starting to prefer greener lifestyles, like eating less meat. COVID-19 made many Vietnamese realize the dangers of wildlife markets, so more people want them to close. People are also learning more about how humans, nature, and animals interact, which helps with taking care of wildlife.
In Vietnam, local authorities are working to teach people about protecting wildlife, especially because of COVID-19. This has led to more people giving wild animals to the government to take care of.
Some farms in Vietnam have been raising wild animals for a long time and know a lot about keeping them healthy and helping them reproduce. This has helped increase the number of rare and endangered animals. Also, some companies are opening eco-resorts and safaris where they take good care of wild animals and teach people about protecting them.
List Of Challenges Faced For Wildlife Preservation In Vietnam:
- Managing Legal And Illegal Wildlife Trade In Vietnam
- Lack Of Cooperation And Information Exchange Between International Agencies
- Lack Of Human Resources For Wildlife Trade Investigations And Management
- Demand For Products Derived From Wildlife Remains High
- Ineffective Monitoring, Reporting, And Verification
1. Managing Legal And Illegal Wildlife Trade In Vietnam
In Vietnam, there’s been a lot of talk about setting up wildlife farms to help people earn more money and to help reduce poverty in different areas. According to CITES (a group that monitors trade in endangered species), Vietnam imports and exports many mammals, reptiles, and fish every year, with huge numbers involved. Especially for reptiles, the numbers can be incredibly high, even reaching billions of individuals.
But there’s a problem: the numbers reported by Vietnam sometimes don’t match up with what other countries say they’re importing. This makes it hard to keep track of exactly how many animals are being traded.
Illegal wildlife trade in Vietnam involves a network of local traders, foreign criminals, and sometimes government officials. Goods are transported via roads, waterways, and air, often disguised as gifts or sent directly within Vietnam. Despite stricter penalties since 2015, the trade persists, with a notable increase in arrests by 2020.
2. Lack Of Cooperation Between International Agencies
Sharing information between countries is important for stopping illegal wildlife trade. But sometimes, people don’t want to share because they’re worried about giving away secrets or looking bad. The group in charge of sharing wildlife trade info, called the CITES Enforcement Agency, can’t investigate or stop illegal transactions in Vietnam. Also, in Vietnam, there needs to be a better way for CITES and other authorities to work together to stop wildlife crimes and punish those responsible.
3. Lack Of Human Resources For Wildlife Trade Investigations And Management
In Vietnam, there aren’t any classes to train people in managing farms that raise wild animals or in treating sick wild animals. The people in charge of these farms don’t have much training, qualifications, or interest in learning about how to raise and care for wild animals properly.
The data and studies showing more cases of wildlife trafficking mean that the laws and policies to stop it aren’t working well. Some of the rules are confusing and hard to follow, leading to different government agencies having similar jobs in stopping wildlife trading.
4. Demand For Products Derived From Wildlife Remains High
In Vietnam, opinions on using and selling wild animals vary despite their long history of farming them. Traditional customs in regions like the Mekong Delta allow the use of wetland animals, despite efforts to curb their sale. Contrary to expectations, even as Vietnam modernizes, demand for wildlife persists, particularly among wealthy individuals in Vietnam and China.
Major markets such as China, the EU, Japan, Korea, and the United States drive illegal wildlife trade for various purposes. This ongoing demand could fuel further expansion of large-scale wild animal farms, perpetuating the trade.
5. Ineffective Monitoring, Reporting, And Verification
In Vietnam, there’s a lack of recent and accurate data on biodiversity and wildlife trading, both legal and illegal, including online sales. This incomplete data makes it hard to understand the extent of wildlife crimes and trade. Additionally, law enforcement and oversight are hindered by overlapping rules, insufficient resources, and limited cooperation among groups. Some believe there’s little wildlife left to protect, reducing government motivation for conservation efforts.
Conclusion
Hence, Vietnam faces significant challenges in preserving its rich biodiversity amidst growing pressures from wildlife trade and insufficient resources. Efforts have been made for Wildlife Preservation In Vietnam: strengthening cooperation, enhancing law enforcement, and raising awareness are crucial to safeguarding its unique ecosystems for future generations.