Gia Lai (VNA) – Kon Ha Nung Plateau in the Central Highlands Province Gia Lai, recognized as a World Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO at the 33rd session of its International Coordinating Council of the Man and the Biosphere Program (MAB-ICC) in Nigeria in September, should create more opportunities to attract national and international organizations to invest in conservation and development projects in this region.

The recognition affirms the efforts of Vietnam and Gia Lai province in particular to protect biodiversity and the ecosystem and promote sustainable development.

It also helps stimulate ecotourism and the livelihoods of the community while attracting international scientific research.

Covering an area of ​​413,512 hectares, Kon Ha Nung Biosphere Reserves comprises two main areas – Kon Ka Kinh National Park and Kon Chu Rang Nature Reserve covering 57,493 ha, and a buffer zone of 152,693 ha covering the districts and communes of Dak Doa, Mang Yang, Kbang, Chu Pah, Dak Po and An Khe.

Kon Ha Nung Biosphere Reserve (Photo: VNA)

Kon Ha Nung is home to rare species such as the gray-tailed douc (Pygathrix cinerea) – a rare primate species endemic to Vietnam and listed as critically endangered, with only around 1,000 individuals in the wild.

The two key areas of Kon Ha Nung Biosphere Reserve have relatively intact ecosystems with high biodiversity, which are typical of the region’s forest ecosystem, flora and fauna of the central highlands region.

This biosphere reserve plays an important role in the socio-economic development and the maintenance of the ecological balance not only of the central highlands region, but also of the central and south-eastern regions of Vietnam.

The Biosphere Reserve is a title awarded by UNESCO for nature reserves with unique and diverse flora and fauna. Biosphere reserves must meet seven criteria: having ecosystems representing biogeographical regions, importance for the conservation of biodiversity, opportunities for sustainable development and a sufficiently large area. They are also required to perform three functions as prescribed by UNESCO, namely conservation, sustainable development and logistical support./.

VNA