The rare, seemingly extinct species of Truong Son Mang has just been discovered by camera traps in Phong Dien Nature Reserve, TT-Hue. Photo: Provided by the Nature Reserve On June 12, information from the leader of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of TT-Hue province said that the local functional forces had just discovered the endemic, rare, and seemingly extinct ungulate through photo traps for many months. Along with that are records of the diverse appearance of many species of birds and wild animals in Phong Dien Nature Reserve. International experts said that it could be Truong Son or Mang Roosevel. Photo: Provided by the Nature Reserve Previously, Phong Dien Nature Reserve Management Board and Viet Nature Conservation Center conducted a survey and set up more than 100 photo traps in the deep forest area of ​​this reserve. The choice of photo traps is located in dangerous areas according to the diagram that coincides with the foraging path of wild animals. In particular, the mission set up photo traps focusing on the habitat of the white-crested Pheasant (Lophura edwardsi). As a result, after 2 months (from March 12 to May 28) setting photo traps in an 11-hectare forest area of ​​Phong Dien Nature Reserve, the team obtained more than 200 photos of 20 species of mammals. and 11 species of birds; in which, the number of photos of wildlife accounts for the majority. Gam civet at Phong Dien Nature Reserve. Photo: Provided by the Nature Reserve Although there were no images of the White Crested Pheasant as the original target, the mission recorded the appearance of some extremely rare animals. In particular, among them are the extinct Truong Son Mang (Muntiacus truongsonensis) and the Red Civet (Chrotogale owstoni) – an endangered animal on the IUCN Red List 2016. According to Mr. Nguyen Dai Anh Tuan, Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of TT-Hue Province, as soon as he received the information, he contacted Dr. Rob Timmins – Technical Director of Saola Foundation, the world’s leading expert on hoofed mammals. clogs to exchange information correctly. The interesting appearance of two individuals of Truong Son Mang – an extremely rare and seemingly extinct species in Vietnam. Photo: Provided by the Nature Reserve From the images sent, Dr. Rob Timmins said that it is not a big Mang. Mr. Rob doubts between Mang Truong Son and Mang roosevel. The special thing is that both of these species are endemic and rare ungulates that have just been discovered or re-discovered in Vietnam and Laos. According to Mr. Le Ngoc Tuan, Director of Phong Dien Nature Reserve, Truong Son Mang has been discovered in the Truong Son mountain range in Vietnam in 1997. Tri Sao. Photo: Provided by the Nature Reserve Although there is not enough data to assess the risk of extinction, it has been a long time since this individual was rediscovered in the TT-Hue forest area. The results show that there are at least 2 individuals of this species in the forest. That fact is extremely valuable for the scientific study of this species. In addition to the Truong Son Mang, the camera traps recorded rare animals such as the star pheasant (Rheinardia ocellata), the golden cash chicken (Polyplectron bicalcaratum), the Central Vietnamese chicken (Arborophila merlini) and some mammals such as the striped rabbit. Nesolagus timminsi), chamois (Capricornis milneedwardsii maritimus)… Moldy Civet Elephant. Photo: Phong Dien NR According to Mr. Tuan, in the study area through recording camera traps, the presence of people is very little; There is no hunting or logging phenomenon. Thereby, reflecting the well-protected research area. However, the fact that there are 20 species of mammals and 11 species of birds recorded through photographic traps located within the study area is still modest, compared to the total area of ​​more than 41,000 ha of the reserve. Cauldron. Photo: Phong Dien NR Star hemorrhoids. Photo: Phong Dien NR In the coming time, this reserve will continue to expand the research area, update the list of animals and establish distribution maps of endemic and endangered species for effective protection solutions.

Tidal flat in Quan Lan island, Van Don district, Quang Ninh province. Photo TTH Fresh sa worms sold at the tidal flats cost more than 300,000 VND/kg, reaching the consumer’s table can be up to millions of dollars and preliminarily processed and dried depending on different prices, the most expensive can be up to nearly ten million VND. /kg. So enough to see, Sa worm is more expensive than many rare and precious specialties from the sea. Sa worm is less distributed, easy to exploit and reproduce, it is more difficult to maintain the natural breed, meanwhile, it is not possible to artificially breed this high-value seafood. In the Northeast Sea, which is geographically located in the Gulf of Tonkin with many bays, conifers and coastal saltwater ponds, it is the ideal habitat of the Sa worm. In addition, the tidal flats must have primary flora and mangrove trees for the slugs to reside. This layer of mangroves keeps the plankton in the water and is the food for the worms and many other bivalve molluscs such as clams, clams, oysters, blood cockles… Sa worm is mentioned as a specialty of Quan Lan and Minh Chau islands, Van Don district, Quang Ninh province because in the tidal flats along Quan Lan island, there is the best kind of worm. Another reason is that the oldest fishery of worms originated from the inhabitants of the island. There are families whose profession of digging and catching fish is passed down from generation to generation, supporting many generations. Increasingly, this item is more and more expensive due to scarcity and there was a time when sage was hunted and sold. Officers of Quan Lan Border Guard Station (Quang Ninh Border Guard) stationed in the area always integrate propaganda content to protect aquatic resources whenever there is a meeting or propaganda sessions. But only the fisherman understands better, if not protected, not “saved” for the next season, the risk of worms will also disappear like blood cockles, boredom, silk clams… Most of the fishers are women. They understand the characteristics of this intertidal marine species. With a specialized sand shovel, they arrived at the tidal flat early in the morning. At night, the worms in the nest come up to eat plankton, they use a shovel to quickly roll up the sand layer to catch it. The sun is up, the temperature is high, the sand is hot, the animal will hide deep down, not being caught anymore. It is important that the fishing profession is completely manual. If mechanized or used tools to plow the sand, the slugs will no longer be able to reproduce and will disappear until they disappear. It has happened in other sea areas such as Tien Yen, Ha Long, and Quang Yen of Quang Ninh province, when the tidal flats dried up, mangroves were cut down, over-exploited, encroached on the sea, and sucked sand. make the sage disappear. The People’s Committee of Quang Ninh province has regulated the period of banning the exploitation of worms in June and July every year (the breeding time of the worms). Mining is only allowed by the traditional manual method of using apricots and spades and only for worms that have reached a size over 10cm long. Along with people’s lives, Quan Lan Border Guard Station, when receiving people’s feedback, authenticates information and coordinates with many levels and branches to protect the intertidal area. Due to the large profits, many traders instigate people to use high-pressure pumps, pump out water, and plow the tidal flats to catch worms. The whole coastal shoal area was overturned, the environment was polluted, and large and small seafood was destroyed. There are times, early in the morning, when people go to the beach to “hunt” sa worms, Border Guard officers also come out to support people in protecting the intertidal area, propagandize and mobilize so that people do not exploit in the form of fishing. extermination, peace of mind to pursue their livelihoods, and at the same time, severely punish households who do not comply with the general regulations, exterminate fishing, and destroy the environment. Van Don has more than 2,000 hectares of tidal flats and nearly 1,000 fishermen make a living by hunting worms and natural intertidal mollusks. The original people in the island very well understand that seafood is their source of life, but when people from other places come, traders only buy for profit, there are always fishing activities that go against the interests of the community. this population. Especially, sand mining activities have been boycotted, protested and petitioned by fishermen, causing the locality to suspend this activity and rearrange order and stability in coastal residential areas. Accordingly, all acts of encroaching on the tidal flats, destroying the habitat of marine resources, local authorities encourage people to detect, denounce and clarify. Recently, Quan Minh Co., Ltd., an enterprise that dredging creeks and exploiting silica sand, has been accused by people of affecting the environment and attacking tidal flats, dumping waste, polluting the environment. affect the growth of the worm. In many places, people see both young worms and the fear of the extinction of worms is real. Van Don district immediately suspended the project’s construction to protect marine resources and at the same time maintain security and order in the area.

The information and images collected by him are valuable documents to help scientists and experts of FFI discover the world’s second largest population of langurs in Kim Bang forest. After that, Mr. Hien volunteered to join the Community Conservation Team and was appointed as team leader. Thanks to this Community Conservation Team, from 2016-2018, the number of langurs recorded grew from 40 individuals to more than 100 individuals. Stories like Mr. Hien became the inspiration in the Program “Honoring organizations and individuals who have made great contributions to wildlife conservation in the period 2010-2020” in response to the International Day of Biodiversity. (22.5). The period 2010-2020 was declared by the United Nations General Assembly as the “United Nations Decade for Biodiversity”. Photo: vuonquocgiavuquang.vn. The period 2010-2020 has been declared by the United Nations General Assembly as the “United Nations Decade for Biodiversity” in order to achieve a shared commitment of countries to protect more than 8 million species of flora and fauna in the world. threatened to balance life on the planet. “Humanity may never know the precious opportunities of incurable diseases or other beneficial discoveries from nature because many ecosystems are permanently destroyed or soils are polluted. unusable,” said Ban Ki-moon, Secretary-General of the United Nations, calling on all humanity to protect the biodiversity on Earth. The call comes as biodiversity on Earth is declining at an increasingly faster rate. More than 1 million species are in danger of extinction. Human activities have changed 75% of the land surface and 66% of the ocean area. Vietnam is in the Top 16 countries with the highest biodiversity in the world, but biodiversity is under increasing pressure due to human activities and climate change. It is noteworthy that human activities are increasingly seriously harming the balance of nature. To counter this trend, over the past decade, many individuals, scientists and conservation organizations have worked to protect wildlife with a series of research, new species discovery and initiatives, jointly provide many effective conservation solutions in Vietnam. Some newly discovered species include Euscorpiopsis Cavernicola scorpion (in Ba Be district, Bac Kan province) and Vietbocap thienduongensis scorpion (Phong Nha – Ke Bang national park, Quang Binh province). The new findings not only have scientific significance but also have high practical value because scorpion venom is a potential natural raw material for the current and future pharmaceutical industry. In addition, precious tree species such as Moc Huong (Aristolochia), genus Arachniodes,… are also studied for their phylogenetic and evolutionary relationships to serve practical applications. Through research, many plant species with medicinal and production value are identified and have a reasonable conservation plan. Many organizations and individuals that have made great contributions to wildlife conservation in the period 2010-2020 also recognized many initiatives and solutions, contributing to improving the effectiveness of efforts of all levels, sectors and the whole society. association in species conservation. For example, the breeding solution has successfully preserved the white-crested pheasant – a rare endemic bird of Vietnam. The distribution area of ​​this rare chicken is in Quang Tri province, previously there were almost no birds and animals due to hunting, trapping and illegal wildlife trade. As a result, the population of the wild Lam pheasant decreased sharply, the last individuals were in danger of extinction. In addition, the breeding pairing of white-bellied Cao Cat (located in Section II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora – CITES) has also been successful, serving environmental education. and preserved in the future. Besides breeding solutions to conserve endangered species, other initiatives also focus on saving wildlife. In which, there are volunteer groups that have rescued 100 sea turtles, of which 94 individuals have been released into the sea; or the bear rescue process, bear farming in a semi-wild environment… These efforts contribute to changing people’s awareness of the importance of wildlife in the ecosystem associated with human life. In a recent report, the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) said that 90% of Vietnamese people support closing the wildlife trade market; 91% support the closure of restaurants that sell illegal and unregulated wildlife.

Elephants in the Central Highlands. (Photo source: PV/Vietnam+) Wild animals and plants play an important role in maintaining ecological balance, ensuring Ecosystem are complete systems, contributing to the provision of ecosystem services for sustainable development, bringing direct benefits to people. The strengthening of wildlife protection is one of the most important tasks of biodiversity conservation. A clear legal system, behavior change communication, and effective law enforcement are considered to be the three decisive factors for the success of a conservation campaign. VNA introduces a series of 4 articles “Joining hands to protect wildlife in Vietnam.” Lesson 1: Facing a downtrend According to the United Nations Intergovernmental Committee in the Global Assessment Report on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services, the rate at which biodiversity is being degraded is unprecedented in history. One million plant and animal species out of a total of 8 million species on earth are on the verge of extinction. In Vietnam, in recent years, biodiversity resources are continuing to decline. The situation of illegal hunting, killing, slaughtering, transporting, trading, and consuming wild animals is still complicated, leading to an increase in the risk of extinction of many wild animals in the environment. nature, negatively affecting ecological balance, human health and the country’s reputation in the international arena. There is also a risk of disease transmission to humans, livestock and poultry. Biodiversity is reduced mainly due to natural loss, overexploitation, climate change, environmental pollution from the use of pesticides, plastic products… and invasive species. In which, urbanization, deforestation, and agricultural development are the main causes causing nearly 75% of the terrestrial environment to be changed, causing species and ecosystems to decline. The wildlife trade has also created many consequences, wreaking havoc on the environment, severely reducing species populations with 67% of animals worldwide already in decline. High diversity comes with risk extinction increase According to the 6th national report to the Convention on Biological Diversity, Vietnam currently has about 51,400 species of organisms that have been identified, including 7,500 species/microorganism strains, about 20,000 terrestrial and aquatic plant species, 10,900 species of terrestrial animals, 2,000 species of invertebrates and freshwater fish, and 11,000 other marine species. Many species have great value for conservation, contribute to science and affirm the global importance of Vietnam’s biodiversity, such as saola, silver-backed chevrotain, giant gill, Truong Son gill, striped rabbit, etc. Asian elephants, bison, gray cows, tigers, leopards, star deer, primates, sea turtles and freshwater tortoises… The International Bird Conservation Organization has also identified Vietnam as having 63 important bird areas. important. Compared with other countries in Indochina, the fauna of Vietnam is quite rich in species composition and has a high degree of endemism. Of the 21 monkey species found in this region, Vietnam has 15 species, of which 7 are endemic species and subspecies. Of the 49 endemic bird species in the region, Vietnam has 33 species, of which 10 are endemic to Vietnam alone. From 2014-2018, 334 new species were discovered for science including 208 animal species, 136 plant species described and published in prestigious international scientific journals and the Institute’s Journal of Biology Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology. According to statistics, the number of species and individuals of Vietnam’s wild species is on a sharp decline, many endangered, precious and rare species are at very high risk of extinction. Like the Ho Guom turtle, there are only 4 known living individuals in the world, including 1 individual in China and 3 individuals in Vietnam. Other large mammals such as elephants, tigers, bears, big cats and pangolins are also threatened with extinction if no resolute and effective protection measures are taken. Sao la – a species endemic to the Truong Son range is also on the verge of extinction. Investigation and monitoring efforts to date have not found any populations of the species in the wild. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red List updated in November 2020, the number of threatened species distributed in Vietnam is 745 species, including 64 mammal species, 53 bird species, 70 reptile species, etc. 45 species of amphibians and 96 species of fish. The total number of wild species recorded in the Red Book of Vietnam is 882 species, of which 464 are precious and rare animals (an increase of 108 species within 10 years). There are 116 species that are critically endangered and 6 species that have been converted from different endangered levels to considered extinct, including two-horned rhinoceros, gray bull, tapir, otter civet, lilac crocodile, star deer . The 2016 species inventory proposed to include 1,211 species in the updated Red Book, including 600 species of plants and 611 species of animals. Compared with the 2007 Red Book, the number of threatened and endangered species has increased significantly. Big challenge According to the assessment of the Department of Nature Conservation and Biodiversity (General Department of Environment, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment), the conservation of wild animals and plants is facing many challenges and limitations. . The issue of protecting wild species, especially endangered, precious and rare species has not yet been unified in the approach to management and conservation; management regime for species in different categories. Especially in matters of criteria for species identification, the list of endangered, precious and rare species and endangered, precious and rare species are prioritized for protection. An otter belonging to group 1B, imprisoned in an iron cage, is illegally sold by stall owner Yen Tam in Thanh Hoa, Long An province in 2020 for 10 million VND. (Photo: Hung Vo/Vietnam+) Duplicating the list leads to an overlap in management regimes and makes it difficult to apply legal documents as well as handle violations in practice. Specifically, the three-bar box turtle belongs to the list of endangered, precious and rare species prioritized for protection and is not allowed to be traded, but at the same time belongs to group IIB – forest plants and animals that are not yet threatened. extinct, but at risk of being threatened if not strictly managed, limited exploitation and use for commercial purposes. The overexploitation and use of wildlife resources, deforestation, and conversion of forest use purposes also lead to habitat loss of species leading to increasing conflicts between humans and species in the region. nature. Species conservation programs are approved by the authorities, but in practice there are few resources to implement. The demand for illegal and unsustainable consumption of endangered wild species for food, medicine, pets, decoration… still exists. The illegal trade in these species is increasingly sophisticated, organized and complicated, with elements of transnational crime. Law enforcement is still limited and ineffective due to lack of resources, including physical, human and financial facilities. Remuneration regimes and policies for enforcement officers are not commensurate with the high responsibilities and risks when facing this crime. The specialized force’s ability to fight against this type of violation on endangered, precious and rare wild species has not yet kept up with the sophisticated and professional tricks of criminals. Some shortcomings and gaps in legal documents make it difficult to handle violations such as the lack of regulations on handling exhibits. In practice, it may take a lot of time for the investigating agency, the procuracies or the people’s court, the trial panel to make a decision, or it may also take time to get the assessment results when the individuals Live and healthy wild animals need to be treated and immediately released back into the wild, which is very expensive to preserve until the case is heard. Cooperation between enforcement agencies has improved, but there has not been a close coordination mechanism, no guidance on the investigation process after the arrest of wildlife individuals or products, including: including the process of making and transferring dossiers from customs, border guards and forest rangers to the police, assessment agencies, procuracies and courts; handling wild animals and their parts after confiscation. In addition, the awareness of the whole society towards species conservation, biodiversity conservation has been improved, but there are still many limitations. Some parts of the people still have a high demand to use endangered wildlife, leading to increased hunting, trading and consumption. Awareness of all levels and branches has been raised, but not enough and not drastically to contribute to the conservation of endangered, precious and rare species effectively and comprehensively. Deputy Director of the Center for Education for Nature (Vietnam Union of Science and Technology Associations) Bui Thi Ha said that corruption is also a big obstacle to wildlife law enforcement efforts because there are With the help of a number of corrupt officials, many criminals have been and are blatantly committing crimes without fear of being discovered, arrested, put on trial or facing punishment. prison./.

Over the past 10 years, many conservation initiatives and solutions have contributed to effectively protecting the biodiversity common home. (Photo: Hung Vo / Vietnam +) After more than 6 months of launching, the program “Honoring organizations and individuals with many contributions to the conservation of wild species in the period 2010-2020” by Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment The launch is coming to the last stage. It is expected that the ceremony to honor individuals and organizations participating in the program will be held on May 21, 2021, in response to the Day Biodiversity international (May 22). Thousands of species are named According to the representative of Department of Nature Conservation and Biodiversity (Vietnam Environment Administration, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment), in the past decade, Vietnam has witnessed many changes in economic, social and conservation life. biodiversity is no exception. Although operating in silence, scientists and conservation organizations have contributed to creating a brilliant decade of biodiversity with a series of research, new species discovery and initiatives and solutions. effective conservation. Especially, right after launching the above honoring program in October 2020, the program has received many records from individuals and organizations working in the field of species conservation. Many animal and plant species have been studied and discovered for the first time for science and published in prestigious international journals. Among thousands of species of animals and plants recognized and recognized internationally, many species of insects, reptiles, amphibians … are classified as critically endangered, and should be prioritized for conservation; Many studies have found endemic species only in Vietnam. Some newly discovered species include scorpion Euscorpiopsis cavernicola (in Ba Be district, Bac Kan province) and scorpion Vietbocap thienduongensis (Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park, Quang Binh province). In addition, precious tree species such as Moc Huong (Aristolochia), genus Arachniodes, … have also been studied on phylogenetic and evolutionary relationships for practical application. Through research, many valuable plant species in medicine and production are identified and have reasonable conservation plans. Many outstanding landmarks in conservation Along with species discovery research, the program honors organizations and individuals with many contributions to the work wildlife conservation the 2010-2020 period also recognizes many initiatives and solutions, contributing to improving the efficiency of efforts of all levels, sectors and the society in species conservation. The precious otter who was illegally confined and sold at the farm product disguised as Thanh Hoa, Long An province, was rescued by the competent forces after receiving a report from the reporter of VietnamPlus. (Photo: Hung Vo / Vietnam +) The first solution mentioned by the Department of Nature Conservation and Biodiversity is the successful breeding and conservation of white-crowned Lei Lamas – a rare and endemic bird of Vietnam. In addition, the pairing and spawning of the White-bellied Cao Sand Bird has also been successful, serving environmental education and conservation in the future. Besides breeding solutions for endangered species, other initiatives also focus on wildlife rescue. Among them, there are groups of volunteers who have rescued 100 sea turtles, of which 94 are still alive and have been returned to the sea; or process of rescuing bears, raising bears in semi-wild environments … In particular, the program received a story from someone who used to be a hunter but now leads a voluntary group to conserve white-nosed langurs in Quang Binh. Thereby, it contributes to preventing the impact of the quarrying program, protecting the habitat for langurs. As a result, in 2018, the People’s Committee of Quang Binh province has partially planned the forest into a special-use forest to balance conservation and exploitation needs. In addition, some units also made a mark with the initiative of using camera traps to investigate wild species in some key areas or the application of technologies in monitoring and re-release. wild animals and preserve the gifts given to Vietnam by the Creator. Assessing the significance of the program, professor-doctor of science Dang Huy Huynh, ASEAN Biodiversity Hero, Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Association for the Protection of Nature and the Environment said that this is a conservation initiative. of great significance, helping to motivate and encourage the development of the scientific research movement on biodiversity. During the working process, the review board found that the submitted documents were in compliance with the rules, some documents were carefully prepared, showing the enthusiasm for the program. The dossiers are evaluated on the basis of selection criteria in the issued rules./.

Elephants in the Central Highlands. (Photo source: PV / Vietnam +) According to the General Department of Environment (Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment), the subject of International Day of Biodiversity (22/5) in 2021 was chosen by the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity “We are part of the solution.” The theme was chosen to continue the cross-cutting theme of 2020 “Our solutions are available in nature” as a reminder that biodiversity remains an important solution, an option for Sustainable Development . From nature-based solutions to climate issues, health, food security, drinking water and sustainable livelihoods, biodiversity is the foundation on which we can rebuild for the better. Due to the complicated ongoing COVID-19 epidemic around the world, the 2021 International Day of Biodiversity will be commemorated through an online campaign. In a new study published in the Journal of Frontiers in Forest and Global Change (excluding Antarctica), scientists identified only 3% of the world’s land is still ecologically intact, with healthy primitive populations and undisturbed habitat. This number is only for the nature of “approximate estimate.” The study used range maps of 7,000 word species Red List of the International Union for Conservation of Nature. Most of the data is from mammals but also includes some birds, fish, plants, reptiles and amphibians. The world is in a biodiversity crisis, many wildlife populations, from lions to insects, are plunging in numbers, mainly due to habitat loss. Some scientists believe that the 6th mass extinction on Earth is beginning and will have serious consequences for food, clean water and air. Vietnam is one of the most important and biodiversity countries in the world, both in terms of marine and terrestrial ecosystems (especially forest and mangrove ecosystems). According to the Vietnam UNESCO Office, 238 priority ecological zones have been recognized around the world, of which 6 are located in Vietnam. Several nature reserves in Vietnam are recognized by UNESCO for their unique universal natural value, including 3 natural heritages, two global geopark, 9 biosphere reserves and two Wetlands are located in two world biosphere reserves. However, Vietnam’s conservation efforts are facing various difficulties and challenges such as: biodiversity degradation trends have become more important due to deforestation and illegal logging. legal, overexploitation, economic growth and population pressure, have enormous impacts on the key services these ecosystems provide. According to the Department Nature conservation and biodiversity (Vietnam Environment Administration), nature-based solutions is a term that can be used to describe alternative and non-traditional approaches to environmental problems such as flooding, water scarcity or soil erosion, by exploiting natural capital. Can Gio mangrove forest. (Photo: Manh Linh / VNA) Solutions could include restoring and conserving coral reefs and mangrove belts to increase resilience to coastal flooding and sea level rise, serving as the first line of defense for dissipation. energy waves and vegetation to reduce the risk of landslides and create green belts to help replenish groundwater in areas facing water scarcity. In response to the International Day of Biodiversity on May 22, 2021, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment will honor organizations and individuals who have made many contributions to wildlife conservation in the 2010-2020 period. According to the General Department of Environment (Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment), the Selection Council is composed of managers from the Ministry of Science and Technology, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, and other Leading scientists in the field of species conservation such as Professor, Doctor of Science Dang Huy Huynh – Biodiversity Hero of ASEAN. The dossiers to participate in the program honoring organizations and individuals with many contributions to the conservation of wild species are evaluated on the basis of the selected selection criteria. Each profile is consulted by all experts in the council, ensuring transparency and fairness. According to the Selection Council, the discovery of new species, initiatives and solutions for biodiversity conservation is of an important nature. Documents participating in this program show that there are thousands of named wild flora and fauna species, many of which are endemic to Vietnam. Many initiatives and solutions contribute to improving the efficiency of efforts of all levels, sectors and the society in species conservation. Initiatives on reproduction, breeding and successful conservation of rare species, care solutions, propaganda and especially initiatives from volunteer groups to protect species life and inspire those who has been and wants to contribute to this field. Scientists believe that the first time the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment has an initiative to organize a program to encourage and encourage the development of the scientific research movement on biodiversity is a meaningful activity taking place. In the context of increasing climate change, the rate of biodiversity degradation of our country and the world tends to increase. It is expected that the Ceremony to honor individuals and organizations participating in the program will be held on May 21, 2021./.

Ruins named “Treasures” at Petra “The Lost City” Petra is a famous World Heritage Site in Jordan. Petra was built by the ancient Nabateans – a brilliant civilization of merchants and craftsmen. This was once a stopover on a trade route between Arab oases. To date, the cause of Petra’s demise remains a mystery. What remains are the ruins over an area of ​​260 square kilometers, and the most famous is the Al Khazneh (“Treasure”) relic, carved right into the mountainside. Because mountains surround the city, visitors have to pass through a steep, dark and narrow canyon to get inside. 2. Galápagos – island of exotic creatures (Ecuador) The Galápagos agos The Galápagos Islands are more than 900km from the mainland. It is famous for its large number of endemic species, once studied by Charles Darwin, which was the basis for the inception of Darwin’s theory of evolution. Here, iguanas can swim, turtles live for nearly 200 years, cormorants cannot fly, and there are many other rare endemic creatures. Charles Darwin discovered that the wildlife here evolved independently of the rest of the Earth, with many unique species nowhere to be found. Therefore, this archipelago has become an ideal evolutionary research model of scientists and is also an extremely attractive ecotourism destination. 3. Learn about the life of Anangu (Australia) Uluru rock At sunset, Uluru rock looks like a ship burning in the desert. Nearly 350m high, lying alone in the desert, Ururu can be seen from a distance of many kilometers. The Anangu people considered this place a sacred place – the dwelling place of ancestral spirits; At the same time, they oppose tourism development because they are worried that the rocky mountains will be damaged. Since 2017, visitors have been allowed to climb the mountain by the government. However, tourists often have other options, including walking to explore nature, sacred lakes, watching kangaroos and learning about the lives of indigenous people. 4. Live slowly in the Okavango River Delta (Botswana) Okavango River Delta The Okavango Delta is home to many wildlife, making it a top tourist attraction in Africa. An estimated 200,000 animals are seasonal, in and around the delta. Some endangered species such as the African wild dog still exist. Flood waters from the Okavango River create immense waters and a very unique ecosystem. The canoe mokoro take visitors quietly through the canals, trees to immerse themselves in nature, listen to the sounds of birds and animals. The team when the silence was broken, when the herds of elephants or buffalo massively cross the swamp. Many tourists also camped and slept in the wilderness. 5. Explore Yellowstone National Park (USA) Yellowstone National Park Yellowstone is the world’s first and oldest national park, famous for its wildlife and thermal sites, especially the Old Faithful geyser. The waters here are still active and erupting continuously, creating unique landscapes. Yellowstone allows hiking, camping, boating, fishing and sightseeing. The concrete roads are built to the main geothermal areas for sightseeing, along with many lakes and waterfalls. In winter, people usually go to the park with sleds. However, visitors should note because grizzly bears here are very aggressive and can attack humans. 6. Make wishes in Lake Bled (Slovenia) The church on Lake Bled The scenery at Bled Lake is breathtakingly picturesque, formed by geological tectonics and glaciers. In the middle of the lake is a small island, there is a church built in the 17th century. At the church there is a wish bell, placed here in the 18th century, it is said that wishes will come true if you shake it up. In addition to the church, which is often crowded and many couples choose to have a wedding, visitors can also rent a boat to float on the lake, dive into the water or relax at the beautiful resorts along the lake. The resorts here are highly appreciated for their eco-design and environmental friendliness. 7. Listen to the Iguazu waterfall (Argentina-Brazil border) Waterfalls Iguazú As the natural border between Argentina and Brazil, Iguazu falls with 275 small falls create a stunning and majestic scene. The space around the waterfall is wide and airy to help visitors have a panoramic view, and even hear the sound of water pouring from a distance of nearly 3km. Visiting the waterfall from the Brazilian side, visitors can walk along the canyon or observe in a helicopter. However, the Argentine side has banned helicopter tours, so visitors will go by trail about 1 km or take a boat or rubber boat to admire the waterfall from the base of the falls. Along the tour, people can admire the rare animals of the national park such as cheetahs, butterflies, raccoons, Prego monkeys, coral snakes, Toucan birds, parrots, Caiman crocodiles … 8. Tracing the gods in the temple complex of Angkor (Cambodia) Angkor temple complex This Cambodian temple complex is the largest religious monument in the world, a symbol of human ingenuity and talent. . The temple’s architecture represents Mount Meru, home of the Hindu gods of legend. The temple is admired for its grandeur and harmony of architecture, the abundance of sculptural art, and the large number of gods adorned on its stone walls. In addition, it is also famous for Bayon Temple, Ta Prohm pagoda, stone Buddha statues and more than 1,000 temples of different sizes and shapes with Khmer architectural style. These monuments are often very touristy, so many people choose to go in the low season (rainy season) to have satisfactory photos. Angkor is most beautiful at dawn or sunset, morning tours also help you avoid the heat and enjoy the fresh air. 9) Walking around the muíSalar de Uyuni (Bolivia) The world’s largest mirror in Salar de Uyuni salt lake After each rain, the layer of water left on the Salar de Uyuni salt lake forms a giant mirror that reflects the image of the sky and creates a stunning scene. The salt crust is several meters thick and extremely flat, making the salt lake the largest mirror in the world, with a diameter of more than 129 kilometers. During the dry season, you can visit the salty island – the remains of an ancient volcano that was submerged. Also nearby is an old train cemetery with many abandoned trains. 10. Sipping a cup of tea after trekking Annapurna (Nepal) Trekking road around the Annapurna mountains Trekking (hiking, exploration) around the Annapurna mountains is one of the most fascinating trails in the world – challenging and inspiring. This road crosses two different riverside valleys, surrounding the Annapurna mountain range up to a height of more than 5,000 meters at the top of the snow-white Thorung La Pass, touching the edge of the Tibetan Plateau. The trail passes through many preserved villages, from lowland Hindu settlements to the village of Manang of Tibetan descent. Visitors can admire the Tilicho glacial lake, the ancient temples and majestic of the Himalaya mountain range. No one wants to be in a hurry at that beautiful view. The best feeling was after the journey, slowly enjoying the local tea and cake.

According to the IPBES report in 2019, about 75% of the land area and 66% of the sea area on Earth has been “significantly changed” by humans. Livestock and farming are using more than 33% of the land and 75% of the fresh water. Agricultural activities are one of the main causes of greenhouse gas emissions, due to the use of fertilizers and deforestation for aquaculture. Plants and animals are also threatened by overharvesting and hunting; Climate Change; pollution and the spread of alien species. About a million species of plants and animals are facing extinction. Without strong measures, endemic landscapes and ecosystems on Earth will soon disappear forever Avenue of the baobab (Madagascar) Bao Bap Boulevard is the name of a group of old trees located along the dirt road connecting Morondava and Belon’i Tsiribihina, in the Menabe region in western Madagascar. Its magnificent scenery attracts visitors from all over the world, making it one of the most popular in the region. Faced with climate change and human farming activities, the fate of these baobab trees is increasingly threatened. At present, many efforts to preserve this place have been made, in the hope of preserving this fairy-tale avenue. Image: Economic Times. Yew Lake Caddo (Texas / Louisiana, USA) The 25,400-hectare Caddo Lake-Swamp, located on the border between Texas and Louisiana, is famous for its submerged conifer forest. Hundred-year old moss-covered larch trees lie on the water’s surface, setting the scene in Tolkien’s novels. Threatened by global warming and alien organisms, the growth rate of yew here has decreased rapidly. This is a protected wetland on an international level. Currently, visitors can explore this place by kayak. Image: Itookapic. Amazon Forest (South America) The Amazon forest stretches across many South American countries and is the largest tropical rainforest in the world, famous for its biodiversity. There are thousands of rivers here, creating an ecological environment for the rich flora and fauna, as well as providing a source of life for people. However, the increasing rate of deforestation and the global climate change have caused the forest area to shrink rapidly. With this momentum, according to a study published in Nature Communications, Amazon forests could turn into deserts within 50 years after their ecosystems reach the point of collapse. Image: Scoop. Dead Sea (Israel and Jordan) As the lowest inland area of ​​sea level, Dead Sea water has an average salinity of up to 35%, 10 times higher than normal seawater, making people float on the water and contain many minerals therapy. Experts believe that this water area will completely disappear in the next 50 years. Over the past four decades, the area of ​​the Dead Sea has shrunk by one third, and the water level has receded more than 24 meters, averaging 30 centimeters per year. The main reason is that the Jordan River – the main water source of the Dead Sea – is increasingly used by Jordan, Syria and Israel for domestic and agricultural purposes. This area is under additional pressure from cosmetic factories exploiting raw materials. Image: Walk My World. Great Barrier Reef (Australia) Australia’s huge coral ecosystem is about the size of Japan, with more than 2,900 separate coral reefs and 900 islands spread across an area of ​​344,400 square kilometers. However, scientists believe that by 2030, this place will disappear. The Australian Foundation says warming seawater, combined with water with a higher acidity, can kill 97% of the corals in the Great Barrier. Image: CNTraveler. Galapagos Islands (Ecuador) Located 1,000km inland, this is home to many endemic plant and animal species. Charles Darwin arrived here in 1835. Observations of species at the Galápagos inspired his later theory of evolution. However, the ecosystem here is threatened by overfishing as well as the warming of the sea water. Coral reefs are dying, and native animals are threatened by tourism. Image: Lonely Planet. Congo Basin (Africa) The Congo Basin spans the territory of 6 African countries, and is the second largest rainforest in the world, only after the Amazon. This place has about 10,000 species of tropical plants, 30% of which are endemic, along with many rare wild animals such as wild elephants, gorillas, chimpanzees … This is also inhabited by humans. for more than 50,000 years, it has provided food, water and shelter to more than 80 million people. Every year, two million hectares of forests in the Congo basin are destroyed, due to illegal logging, cultivation, mining, war … If conservation efforts are not accelerated, Scientists estimate that by 2040, about two-thirds of the forest will disappear. Image: Profor. Alaska Territory (Alaska, USA) The vast ice that covers the western and northern coasts of Alaska are the coldest biomes in the world. However, in recent years, the northern part of Alaska has seen a dramatic rise in temperature – faster than the global average, which has resulted in the melting of permafrost. Catastrophic fires also occurred, making the environment more fragile. The increasing rate of coastal erosion also has a direct effect on polar bears and their prey. Patagonian ice area (Argentina) As the largest subarctic ice in the southern hemisphere, the Patagonian ice sheet consists of three main zones: North, South and Cordillera Darwin. In total, they hold up to 5,500 gigatons of ice, enough to raise global sea levels 15 millimeters if all they melted. Its beautiful scenery has long been a world-famous tourist destination, for nature enthusiasts. However, the glaciers of Patagonia are thinning at an average rate of 1.8 m / year due to climate change and human impacts. Only three of them have expanded in recent years, but the rest – 90% – is shrinking. Image: Pexels.

Polar bear, one of the animals facing extinction due to the impact of climate change (Artwork: kinhtemoitruong.vn)

Climate change, if left unchecked, could destroy natural treasures in “biodiversity hotspots” around the world, scientists warn.

A global team of scientists has analyzed nearly 300 biodiversity hotspots on land and at sea. These are locations with a particularly high concentration of plant and animal species. Many of these hotspots include ‘endemic’ species, inhabiting only a single geographical location, such as an island or a country.

They found that if the planet heats above 3 ° C, one-third of the endemic species that live on land and about half of the endemic species living in the sea will face extinction. In mountainous regions, 84% of endemic animals and plants face extinction at these temperatures, while on islands it reaches 100%. Overall, 92% of terrestrial endemic and 95% marine endemic species face negative consequences at a 3 ° C increase, such as a reduction in numbers. Current policies are moving the world in this direction of about 3 ° C warming.

Among endemic species, there are some of the world’s most iconic animals and plants. Endemic species threatened by climate change include all lemurs that only exist in Madagascar; the blue crane – which is the national bird of South Africa; and the snow leopard, one of the most unique animals of the Himalayas.

Research shows that compared to widely available species, endemic species are 2.7 times more likely to become extinct if the temperature rise is not controlled. Since they are only found in a certain place, and if climate change changes their separate habitats, these species will inevitably disappear from the Earth’s surface. If greenhouse gas emissions continue to increase, places like the Caribbean islands, Madagascar and Sri Lanka may see most of their endemic plant species go extinct as soon as 2050. The tropics It is particularly vulnerable, with more than 60% of tropical endemic species facing extinction under the effects of climate change alone.

But everything is not necessarily over. If countries cut their emissions in line with the Paris Agreement then most of these endemic species will persist. In total, 2% of endemic soil species and 2% of endemic marine species face extinction if the temperature rises to 1.5ºC, and 4% at 2ºC. Strong commitments from global leaders ahead of the Glasgow climate change summit later this year could put the world on track to meet the Paris Agreement, and avoid the risk of treasures. The world’s most precious nature was destroyed on a large scale.

“Climate change threatens areas that are so rich in unique species of organisms,” said Stella Manes, study lead author and researcher at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro. Found anywhere else in the world. The risk of permanently disappearing these species will increase more than 10 times if we miss out on the goals of the Paris Agreement. Biodiversity has more value than just seeing. The higher the species diversity, the better the health of nature, while also protecting against threats such as climate change. Healthy nature will provide indispensable sources of life for humans, such as water, food and materials, protect us from natural disasters, provide value for recreational relaxation and cultural connectivity, and morale.”

“Our research shows that a one-color and possibly very boring world awaits them,” said Wolfgang Kiessling, a marine expert from Friedrich-Alexander Erlangen- Nürnberg University and author of the study. We are ahead due to climate change. Organisms will benefit, while native species that contribute to the distinctive look of hot spots will disappear. ”

“This study found that species are geographically rare, especially those that live,” said Mark Costello, a marine expert from the University of Nord and the University of Auckland and author of the study. on islands and mountains, which are already in danger of extinction due to current climate change, these species cannot easily migrate to more favorable environments by their natural characteristics. that 20% of all species will be threatened with extinction by climate change in the coming decades, unless we act now. ”

According to Shobha S. Maharaj, an island expert from the Caribbean Journal of Environmental Science and Renewable Energy, and author of the study: “This study shows the relative risk of extinction due to climate change. with rare species living in the island area, it is 8 times higher than that in the mainland. The geographic rarity of these species makes them of global value to nature. Such species cannot easily migrate to more favorable environments and their end to extinction could lead to a global decline in disproportionate species.