Monkeys swarmed into residential areas in Cu Lao Cham, but people did not persecute them but instead tried to protect them - Photo: BD
Speaking at the ceremony, Mr. Nguyen The Hung - Vice Chairman of Hoi An City People's Committee - said that exactly 15 years ago, in Korea, UNESCO announced Cu Lao Cham - Hoi An as a World Biosphere Reserve.
Dramatic changes after entering the World Biosphere Reserve
Being listed as a World Biosphere Reserve has created a huge change for the outpost island cluster.
From a poor commune, with an uncontrolled environment, garbage everywhere and having to ask for aid, Cu Lao Cham has now led the communes in Quang Nam in terms of income.
Since being recognized as a World Biosphere Reserve, a series of action programs associated with long-term fundamental policies have been implemented. Community thinking and awareness have changed almost completely.
Cu Lao Cham is famous for programs such as "Say no to plastic bags and disposable plastic products", "Going to the market with a basket", "Exploiting stone crabs, lobsters and other resources in a controlled manner"...
Even though monkeys in Cu Lao Cham are flooding into residential areas, damaging crops and endangering people, the islanders always find ways to protect them rather than persecute them.
According to Mr. Nguyen The Hung, these actions, along with the friendliness and hospitality of the people, have created a unique Cu Lao Cham that cannot be achieved anywhere else.
A model of conservation linked to improving community livelihoods
Evaluating 15 years of taking advantage of the opportunity when being listed as a World Biosphere Reserve, organizations believe that Cu Lao Cham is a model of combining conservation with tourism, improving the lives of residents.
Currently, over 80% of the population lives on tourism. Cu Lao Cham attracts an average of 3,000 visitors per day. Tourism has brought in real income and thanks to that, the people are more determined to protect the environment together.
Yen Island, Cu Lao Cham - Photo: BD
Thanks to the protection of the environment, people are always proactive in their livelihoods when there is a major incident. For example, during the recent COVID-19 pandemic, tourism stagnated, causing a lack of visitors, but the people of Cu Lao Cham still lived well thanks to maintaining a stable source of shrimp and fish around the island.
The people of Cu Lao Cham still firmly believe in "one foot in the sea, one foot in tourism".
Ms. Pham Thi My Huong - Chairman of Tan Hiep Commune People's Committee - said that the commune currently has about 2,000 people. With what has shown the right orientation, Cu Lao Cham will use conservation and environmental protection to attract tourism and leverage to improve community livelihoods.
Cu Lao Cham will limit construction, not concretize, preserve the natural environment to keep its unique value and become more and more attractive to tourists.
Source: https://tuoitre.vn/tu-xin-tro-cap-nguoi-dan-cu-lao-cham-da-song-khoe-nho-bao-ton-va-lam-du-lich-20240523214400253.htm
Comment (0)