Cat Ba BR Management Board | Sinh quyển Cát Bà

Management Board of Cat Ba Biosphere Reserve

The management of the Cat Ba World Biosphere Reserve was established by Decision No. 1194 / QĐ-UB dated 13/6/2005 of the People’s Committee of Haiphong City and was amended in accordance with Decision No. 1088 / QĐ – The People’s Committee dated 03 July 2008, which has the following functions and tasks:

Selection of targets and solutions for sustainable management of resources in the Biosphere Reserve (including land, water, organisms, ecosystems, natural heritage, cultural heritage …)
Coordination in education to raise awareness in the community about nature conservation, implement specific action programs for nature conservation and cultural heritage in the Biosphere Reserve; coordinate with functional agencies in handling cases of violation, violation of natural resources and cultural heritage in the biosphere reserve;
To efficiently and effectively use of funding sources other than the investment plan of the Government and projects of Cat Ba National Park.

The Management Board of Cat Ba Island is led by a vice chairman of the People’s Committee of the city / Vice Governor; 03 Deputy Heads (including: Director of Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (Standing Vice Chairman), Director of Department of Culture, Sport and Tourism, and Chairman of Cat Hai People’s Committee. Members are representatives of leaders of agencies and units, such as: Department of Agriculture and Rural Development; Department of Planning and investment; Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism; Finance Department; Department of Science and Technology; Departent of Natural Resources and the Environment; Department of Construction; Foreign Affairs; and the Institute of Marine Resources and Environment (IMER); Cat Ba National Park.

The Office of the Cat Ba Biosphere Reserve Management Board is located in the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, which has a representative office in the Cat Hai district locating in Cat Ba National Park headquarter.

Some management activities of Cat Ba Reserve

Task 1: Organize communication to raise awareness and understanding of the community

– Content: Propaganda for all classes of people, all ages, especially students, students and tourists in the country and internationally. To focus on groups of people who directly affect the forest and sea resources of the biosphere reserve (hunters, fishermen, cruise liners, restaurant owners, hotels, tour guides, etc.).

– Requirements: To provide full information on the purpose and significance of Cat Ba Biosphere Reserve and the habitats of human and rare and endangered species; general understanding of localities, natural heritages and cultural heritage of the biosphere reserve; warning of environmental conditions, pollution, waste, air quality, soil, water etc.

– Forms: publications (posters, billboards, brochures, folding books), documentary films, propaganda on radio, newspapers, websites, organizing study contests (writing, drawing, BTC) and oral communication in communities, schools and agencies, units etc; building models for management, rational use of resources (priority for application, development of new energy sources, 4R recycling, etc.); To integrate contents of the biosphere reserve into the program of training of teachers and research and teaching of pupils and students.

Task 2: To direct and organize scientific research

– Content: direct the formulation of programs on scientific research activities in the fields of natural sciences, social sciences and management science of the biosphere reserve; To study and clarify the functions of each area of the biosphere reserve; Study on changes in land use, environmental impacts of economic activities, tourism, propose solutions … to support the development of mechanisms and policies suitable to local conditions; research on the model of learning labs for sustainable development, research on conservation of natural resources, marine conservation, response to climate change, etc.

Task 3: Capacity building and technical assistance

– Content: Building and improving the database system of the biosphere reserve; including: natural resources and cultural values of the biosphere reserve; management data, experts, staff, partner agencies; list of researches and projects (ongoing and future); a list of needs addressing the problems in management practice and ability to respond; Training and capacity building for management and conservation of core areas, conservation of biodiversity in the biosphere reserve; Improve capacity to cope with climate change and develop people’s livelihoods.

– Some specific activities:

+ Monitoring, urging and supporting capacity building for environmental protection and management at Cat Ba World Biosphere Reserve, Cat Ba National Park, Cat Ba Island according to the plan approved by People’s Committee of the city.

+ Promoting the activities of the World Biosphere Reserve; Develop and use effectively the Cat Ba Biosphere Reserve Sustainable Development Fund; Coordinate and reciprocally implement the conservation of Endemic and Endangered Species of Cat Ba Biosphere Reserve;

Task 4: Management and construction of infrastructure

– Ensure investment in infrastructure in accordance with the city’s planning and regulations, national laws and harmonious development with the natural landscape of the biosphere reserve, including environmental impact assessment reporting according to the law;

– Orientations for construction and developing cultural and information infrastructure, preserving traditional culture;

– To develop works and symbols of the World Biosphere Reserve to honor and promote local conservation and sustainable development values, thus creating more attraction for international advertisement.

Task 5: Organizing the assessment of the management plan

– Content: Annually review, evaluate and draw experience on planning and management activities. Long-term orientation issues need to be reviewed and supplemented after 5 or 10 years. Inspecting the implementation of the Regulation on management of Cat Ba Biosphere Reserve and the protection of the environment and biodiversity of the biosphere reserve; To review and evaluate legal documents on Cat Ba Biosphere Reserve, formulate proposals for new mechanisms and policies to promote nature conservation in association with raising people’s incomes (including survey and evaluation of current status implementation of marine and terrestrial conservation. Review and regular meetings of the Management Board.

Task 6: International Cooperation

– Content: Develop a cooperation plan with nature and cultural conservation organizations, the World Biosphere Reserve Network; Branding and reputation promotion for products bearing the label “Cat Ba World Biosphere Reserve”, creating favorable conditions and calling for investment and support for nature protection and conservation; to develop clean and high quality products from the biosphere reserve; Support the responses to climate change, disaster mitigation in Cat Ba Biosphere Reserve.

RESULTS OF CAT BA BR MANAGEMENT BOARD IN 2017

1. The results achieved

1.1 Awareness raising and promote the outstanding values of the Cat Ba World Biosphere Reserve

Production of education materials on the biosphere reserve such as leaflets on geology, rare medicinal and botanical species in Cat Ba, eco-bags, books introducing biosphere reserves, logos, t-shirt and caps, etc.
Organizing the second annual student drawing contest on Cat Ba Biosphere Reserve in 2017;
- Training on protection of migratory birds, protection and development of forests for officials and local people in buffer zone and transitional communes;
Printing the booklet introducing the Cat Ba Biosphere Reserve Certification Label;
Coordinate with the media agencies for news, articles, reports, documentary films on Cat Ba Biosphere Reserve;
Update information on the website of Cat Ba Biosphere Reserve (www.catba.net.vn).

1.2 Improving management capacity for environmental protection, biodiversity and sustainable development of the biosphere reserve

Implementation of the direction by the People’s Committee of the city on enhancing conservation, protection of the environment and biodiversity, re-arranging aquaculture, developing ecological tourism, rare species protection in Cat Ba Islands;
Provide comments on the project on leasing forest environment and the forest lease price model in Cat Ba National Park; Regulation on management of ecotourism activities in Cat Ba National Park, the implementation of tourism law
Comment on the detailed planning of Cat Ba MPA;
Commenting on the proposal of planning the overnight anchorage points on the bay for cruise ships in Cat Ba Bay; upgrading the road through the transition area of the biosphere reserve in Xuan Dam – Anh Soi; dredging project, building the fish port of Tran Chau
Consultation on international studies in Cat Ba: research by Institute of Ecology and Biological Resources (IEBR), Institute of Tropical Biology, Vietnam Museum of Nature, Academy of Science and Technology; Vietnam – Russia Tropical Center; extending the research and conservation activities of Cat Ba Catba of FFI Vietnam; activities of the Cat Ba langur conservation project
Advise the City People’s Committee to complete registration procedures for participation in the ENCYNET Cyber Forum of Jeju Province, Korea; joining the World Marine Biosphere Reserve (WNICBR); comment on the nomination of Lan Ha Bay as the most beautiful bays on the planet
Continuing to develop and complete the Revision of Membership and mission, functions of the Management Board of the Biosphere Reserve
Study and propose the City to review, amend and supplement the Regulations on management of Cat Ba Biosphere Reserve;
Develop a program to implement the Lima Action Plan at Cat Ba Biosphere Reserve, 2017-2025, focusing on the development of the Biosphere Reserve, Sustainable Development, Social Entrepreneurship and Partnership Global Biosphere Reserve Network

1.3 International and national cooperation organizations on research, conservation and development of biosphere reserves

Working with delegations to Cat Ba Biosphere Reserve: Asian Climate Change Education Center – Jeju Biosphere Reserve, Korea at Cat Ba (11-13 January 2017); ASC, Scotland, UK in Cat Ba (March 25-31, 2017)
Organizing missions to attend national and international conferences: Vibrant City Conference with Public Space: Waterfront Development in Seoul, South Korea (July 10-14, 7/2017); Workshop on Values and Solutions for Biodiversity Conservation of Ha Long Bay and Cat Ba Islands; 7th Network of Marine Biosphere Reserves and UNESCO Training for Coastal Island Biosphere Reserve Officials in Jeju, South Korea (from 12 September to 16 September 2017); Joining the mission of MCD in Jeju Island, South Korea (from 23-28 October 2017);
Attend training of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment on the implementation of the Paris Climate Change Agreement for the North; IUCN training on biodiversity values in the Cat Ba Archipelago – Ha Long Bay in Cat Ba; Training by Malik Institute on effective management methods
Attend the workshop of the National Academy of Public Administration on Industrial Revolution 4.0, Workshop of the Vietnam Environment Administration and MAB Vietnam National Commission on Promoting Biodiversity Conservation in Biosphere Reserves in Vietnam; Inter-provincial workshop organized by MCD on climate change response in Red River Delta biosphere reserve in Nam Dinh; Consultation workshop on criteria and procedures for monitoring and evaluating management effectiveness of biosphere reserves in Vietnam.
Organized missions of the Management Board go to exchange experience with Can Gio Biosphere Reserve, Langbiang Biosphere Reserve, attended the annual meeting and science seminars of the network of Vietnamese Biosphere Reserve in West Nghe An.

2. Difficulties in managing biosphere reserve

The risk of degradation and reduction of rare and precious animal and plant species and ecosystems of the biosphere reserve: pollution of the marine environment caused by tourism and aquaculture activities not complying with scientific planning. The the risk of environmental accidents (red tide, stick bugs, forest fire prevention and fighting); over-exploitation and destruction of forest and marine resources: hunting, illegal exploitation of wild animals, ornamental plants, non-timber forest products; unsustainable exploitation of aquatic resources and the use of small wild fish as feed for cage farmed fish; illegal uses of chemicals, explosives, electric impulses for fishing etc
The planning and management of Cat Ba Marine Protected Area, management of coral reef, genetic resource benefit sharing mechanism, mobilization of community participation
The marine environment of Cat Ba is generally of good quality suitable for aquaculture and tourism. However, in some cage farming areas there are signs of local or seasonal pollution. Specifically, to carry out the task of monitoring the environmental quality of marine fish farming in the concentrated area of Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, in May 2016, Center for Marine Environment Monitoring – Research Institute of Marine Fisheries. monitoring and analyzing water environment at 05 locations in Cat Ba archipelago including Vung Gia, Ben Beo; Lan Ha Bay; Tung Gau. The results show that the environmental quality of cage fish in Cat Ba – Hai Phong is polluted (DO, NO3-, NH4 +, PO43-, oils from boating, low H’, high density of ASP algae in Ben Beo, Lan Ha bay and Tung Gau water).
Coral reefs are distributed mainly in the coastal waters of the south-east of the Cat Ba Archipelago, such as Cong La, Ang Tham, Ba Trai Dao, Van Boi, Cong Hip, Tung Ngon, Coc Cheo … at depths of 3, 6, 9 and 11 meters. The coral reef typical of the area is the shoreline and spotted. Coral reefs have now been reduced significantly both in size and diversity of the reef assocaiation species (the coverage of living corals <40%), due to the impact of climate change and acidification of ocean.
The management is not yet specialized, modern use of GIS technology, automatic monitoring, living database resourcesto be updated regularly, not yet establishing a network of regular quality monitoring for ecosystems health and the environment of the biosphere reserve (thiugh done by different institutions and projects separately); regular reporting on biological diversity.
Connection role of the Reserve in the linkage for promoting supply chain (state, enterprises, scientists, farmers, international organizations / NGOs), although there are bright spots, but not yet sufficient; few effective models to help promote the value of ecosystems and native genetic resources in association with the Biosphere Reserve brand, contributing to conserve natural resources, improve local people’s incomes and livelihoods
Position and values of World Biosphere Reserve still untapped effectively and promote adequately for the ongoing new rural development program in the area; the promotion, calling for assistance and international cooperation in nature conservation and community livelihood development and response to climate change should be promoted
Promotion, integration to networks of International Biosphere Reserves and trainings to improve staff capacity network integration International Biosphere Reserve remains difficult.
Green Growth: the recent research has identified some difficulties, the main challenge for Green Growth in Cat Ba, including: 1) Handling of solid waste (sorting and handling of waste from activities tourism and boats; 2) water supply and drainage (groundwater extraction, wastewater treatment activities and tourism, marine pollution locally), mangroves, coral reefs, 3) Energy ( lack of electricity in the tourist season, renewable energy has not developed, use of coal in the plant causing CO2 emissions), 4) Protection of the natural environment: the impact of tourism on the ecosystem, habitat, limitations in the research, biodiversity monitoring, collecting entrance fees not meet low demand conservation investments; (5) Transportation: electric buses needed
Besides, the Cat Ba Biosphere Reserve is also under direct challenge from climate change, sea level rise and associated impacts other areas, such as from the production, transportation and service from the mainland. The situation of natural resource management, biodiversity faces many difficulties due to the a illegal harvesting in between-crops seasons: forest products, wildlife, migratory birds; Although the number of violations has decreased significantly, the number of illegal animal traps that rangers discovered and dismantled tends to remain unchanged. The pressure from the development of tourism in the construction phase and operation will also create new challenges for strengthening environmental management and protection, ecosystem and biodiversity.