IMPLEMENT THE ACTION PLAN ON BIODIVERSITY PROTECTION

- Follow the Decision No 845 TTg dated December, the 12^th, 1995 of Prime Minister on approving the Vietnamese Biodiversity Plan, the Ministry of Science,  Technology and Environment was assigned as a Focal Agency in implemetation of this Plan. In June, 1999, the Plan has been widely announced in Hanoi to agencies at national level, also to the representative of international parties, embassies in Hanoi and the plan was later sent to all the regions and provinces. After an approvement, many relevant offices and provinces which have highly remained biodiversity established their own specific project in accordance with the national plan in order to find appropriate investment, comprising both national and international sources.

MAIN ACHIEVEMENTS AFTER FIVE YEARS IMPLEMENTING THE NATIONAL BIODIVERSITY PLAN

- The Government has adopted policies on the localization of  50 % of nature reserves, which takes approximately 20 billions dong from national budget per year.

- The list on presently conserved areas is taked into consideration and promulgation in which areas with no biodiversity remains will be rejected while other with highly recognized value will enlarge both in number and size, increasing the total conserve landscape from 952,822 to 2 million hectas.

- Improve the document to submit for Minitry’s approval of  15 sea protecting regions and 68 wetland conserve areas with numerous highly environmental and biodiversity valued.

- In period 1993-1998, about 150,000,000 US dollars were invested for biodiversity protection on some major fields:

· Improving the public awareness

Biodiversity contents and harm activities to it has been publicize on the medium of the press like radio, televisions and newspapers.

Many advanced training classes, short-term and long-term courses and workshops on biodiversity subject were held for different candidates: managers, leaders, students, undergraduates…

· Strengthening capacity and training cadres

Educated about one thousand forestry cadres on biodiversity management ( make up 10 per cent in total presently number of  forestry cadres). Meanwhile numerous scientific researchers were sent to enlarge knowledge on this section abroad.

The information and data system about biodiversity has initially set up steps in which the Environmental Protection Agency plays a National Focal Point in implementation of exchanging condition of the Biodiversity Convention.

· Scientific research

Discover three new mammal: Megamuntiacus vuquangeensis, Canimuntiacus truongsononensis and Muntiacus puhoatensis.

Another 7 new typical plants were found in Ha Long province: 4 purple African flower, 1 water-ball species, 1 kind of alkanea and palm tree.

Establish the standard genetic of microorganisms museum

Develop Molecule analisys and Cell transplant Laboratories in the Genetic Institute.

Conduct the five year program on Medicine genetic preservation of the Ministry of Health.