(QNO) - A seminar under the theme “Conservation for development and development for conservation” has just been organised by the Hoi An city’s People’s Committee on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of UNESCO's recognition of Cham Islands in Hoi An city, Quang Nam province as a world biosphere reserve (May 26, 2009- May 26, 2019).
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| Overview of Cham Islands. |
Achievements
At the seminar, the participants said Cham Islands was recognised as a UNESCO world biosphere reserve thanks to the outstanding efforts of the people, authorities, businesses and scientists to preserve and develop local values of global significance.
The environmental protection in Cham Islands has been highly appreciated via some programmes, such as: say no to plastic bags, working together to protect sea in Bai Huong commune, coral restoration and releasing sea turtle to nature. According to the UNESCO website, there are 947 kinds of creatures living around the marine area of Cham Islands, including 178 species of fish, 122 species of seaweed, 134 species of coral, 144 species of shellfish, 25 species of crustacean and many other marine species.
in 2009, Cham Islands welcomed more than 15,000 visitors. 10 years later, this number of tourists to the islands was more than 415,000.
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| Scene of the seminar. |
According to Nguyen The Hung-Vice Chairman of the Hoi An city’s People’s Committee and Head of the Management Board of Cham Islands Biosphere Reserve, after 10 years being recognised as a UNESCO world biosphere reserve, the prominent values of this reserve such as natural and human resources have been preserved and developed well.
Challenges and solutions
At the seminar, Mr. Le Ngoc Thao from the Management Board of Cham Islands world biosphere reserve said this place was facing challenges of water pollution, overtourism, global climate change...
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| Participants at the seminar. |
So, according to the experts at the seminar, it is important to focus on some solutions to the awareness of the locals, tourists, businesses, to scientific and technological appliance, sustainble conservation and exploitation, climate change adaption, preservation and resource values, locals’ income improvement.