PV: Sir, could you please tell us some of the outstanding features of Ba Be National Park, the highlight that has attracted tourists in recent times?
Mr. Pham Van Nam: Ba Be National Park has a total natural area of 10,048 hectares, is a complex of lakes-rivers-streams-forests on limestone mountains, from steep slopes to steep slopes with many caves. Ba Be National Park is a place to preserve the standard model of the forest ecosystem on limestone mountains typical of the Northeast region of Vietnam and the world.
The center of Ba Be National Park is Ba Be Lake - a famous scenic spot, a natural freshwater lake on the largest limestone mountain in Vietnam, with a unique formation mechanism in the world: a natural lake on the limestone mountain but never dry. Ba Be is one of more than 500 famous lakes around the world, one of 20 important natural freshwater lakes in the world that need to be protected.
Ba Be National Park has high biodiversity in the special-use forest system of Vietnam. Specifically, the Park has 978 species of vascular plants, belonging to 571 genera, 157 families of 6 branches. Many rare and precious species are at risk of extinction such as: Broad-leaved Cycads, ... Among them, there are many endangered and rare species such as: Large Loris, Flower-bellied Heron, Flower-bellied Toadfish, King Cobra, Catfish... Ba Be National Park was recognized as an ASEAN Heritage Park in 2003, the 1,938th Ramsar Wetland of International Importance in the world in 2011, and a National Special Scenic Relic in 2012.
The Ba Be National Park area is home to many ethnic minority communities that still retain their distinctive cultural features. The diversity of landscapes and unique values of forests, lakes, caves, along with the year-round cool climate and diverse cultural identities of the mountainous people have attracted more and more domestic and foreign tourists to visit.
Reporter: Sir, what solutions has the Garden implemented to promote unique indigenous biodiversity values, helping people increase their income?
Mr. Pham Van Nam: In the area of Ba Be National Park, there are many local communities living, with over 3,500 people, about 1,500 households. We realize that biodiversity protection in general and forest protection in particular requires the participation of the people. Therefore, we have applied policies on forest allocation and protection to local communities, contributing to increasing income and changing people's awareness of the field of biodiversity.
Along with implementing the policy of paying for forest environmental services for participating communities under the State's policy of paying for environmental services, the National Park has built biodiversity conservation projects associated with livelihood development. Specifically, in 2017, we built a project to develop a chain of Bo khai vegetables - a climbing plant in Ba Be National Park to make a specialty dish, serving the needs of tourists. The product is suitable for the local climate, is less susceptible to pests and diseases, so it has good quality and brings quite a high income to the people.
We also deploy a beekeeping chain with local bees. The product mainly serves tourists and has high value, bringing significant income to the people.
Ba Be Lake has abundant aquatic resources, large output and high diversity. We also link conservation with sustainable use of aquatic species in the lake, by guiding people to manage and implement sustainable exploitation. People use traditional tools such as fishing nets, fishing by size and season, ensuring the regular maintenance of aquatic resources.
Recently, along with the efforts of local authorities and sectors, Ba Be National Park has also mobilized a portion of funds to release additional fish fry into the lake, increasing aquatic resources and serving sustainable exploitation.
Through the process of formation and development, together with the efforts of the Park Management Board, the support of authorities at all levels and local communities, the work of forest protection and biodiversity conservation of the Park has been increasingly improved, and forestry security has been ensured. However, Ba Be National Park still has the potential risk of encroachment on natural resources and biodiversity due to socio-economic development activities and the impact of climate change.
PV: Please tell us, to reduce risks and make good use of the advantages of natural resources and biodiversity, what activities will the Ba Be National Park Management Board implement in the coming time?
Mr. Pham Van Nam: To do this, a very important factor is to raise awareness among local communities and students about forest protection, protection of wild flora and fauna, conservation of nature and biodiversity, wise and sustainable use of wetlands, and environmental protection.
In the coming time, the Ba Be National Park Management Board will proactively implement and actively coordinate with local Party committees, authorities and relevant agencies to disseminate policies and laws on these contents. In addition, direct the Forest Protection Department to increase patrols, promptly detect and prevent acts of encroachment on natural landscapes and exploitation of natural resources.
The assignment of forest protection management, payment for forest environmental services, and implementation of investment and development policies for special-use forests for local communities will continue to be deployed to the people. The park will also monitor and supervise the fluctuations of some endangered, precious, rare, and endemic wild animals and plants.
To seek support from international organizations, the Garden has developed proposals to implement scientific research topics, projects to conserve and develop genetic resources, rare animal and plant species; focusing on models that integrate biodiversity conservation with socio-economic development, local ecotourism, conservation associated with livelihoods, and community-based.
PV: Thank you very much!
By the end of 2022, the number of violations of the Forestry Law in Ba Be National Park decreased by 64.28% compared to the same period last year. The total area of special-use forests assigned to 39 groups/teams for forest management and protection is more than 7,140 hectares. The progress of implementing investment policies for developing special-use forests in 45 village communities is guaranteed, focusing on supporting key items such as building stone embankments for village meeting houses, making production roads, repairing village meeting houses, building toilets, supporting street lighting systems, etc.
Aiming to harmonize development and conservation, the People's Committee of Bac Kan province is developing a tourism plan for the special scenic spot of Ba Be Lake to submit to the Prime Minister for approval. This will be the foundation to attract investment so that Bac Kan will soon become a highlight of eco-tourism nationwide in the near future.
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