Lang Biang recognized as world biosphere reserve by UNESCO

16/09/2015

During the framework of the cooperation between the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology (VAST) and the Lam Dong Provincial People’s Committee on the subject “Developing the profile for Bidoup National Park – Nui Ba world biosphere reserve”, coded VAST.NDP.13/13-14 carried out between 2013 and 2014, through workshops at different levels in September, 2014, VAST Institute of Ecology and Biological Resources worked with the Bi Doup – Nui Ba National Park to complete the profile and submit it to the International Co-ordinating Council (ICC) of the Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).

Accordingly, on 9 June 2015, during the 27^th session of the UNESCO ICC/MAB, Langbiang (the name of the biosphere reserve) was recognised as a world biosphere reserve by UNESCO.

Detailed information can be seen at:

http://www.unesco.org/new/en/media-services/single-view/news/twenty_new_sites_added_to_unescos_world_network_of_biosphere_reserves/#.VXgElFJT

This is the first world biosphere reserve in the Central Highlands recognised by UNESCO, bringing the total number of world biosphere reserves in Vietnam to 9. Langbiang is one of 20 biosphere reserves by UNESCO in this session of ICC/MAB.

The Langbiang world biosphere reserve which has an area of 275,439 hectares is situated in the north of Lam Dong Province, belongs to the Central Highlands’ southern region. It is named after the Langbiang Mountain where the legend of a romantic love story between the man Lang and the woman Biang, a local K’Ho ethnic minority couple, is passed. It keeps with it typical values on biological diversification, natural scenery in combination with specific cultural characteristics of the cultural space of the Gongs in the Central Highlands which was recognised intangible cultural heritage of humanity by UNESCO.

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The President of ICC/MAB session knocks the hammer to adopt the decision on recognising Langbiang world biosphere reserve. (Photo: nhandan.org.vn)

Langbiang biosphere reserve being recognised as a world biosphere reserve contributes to further confirm the important role of the region in the Central Highlands of Vietnam in particular and of the world in general. This brings opportunities for boosting sustainable development in Lam Dong Province and the Central Highlands.

This valuable world recognition has been received thanks to the great assistance from Bidoup residents, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Vietnam National Commission for UNESCO, experts, financial assistance from VAST and the Lam Dong Provincial People"s Committee in making profiles for the recognition. In particular, the recognition marks great efforts from the Institute of Ecology and Biological Resources, the Bidoup – Nui Ba National Park and MAB Vietnam.

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Meeting to get technical consultancy in building profiles for recognition in Lam Dong Province

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International workshop at the Vietnam National Commission for UNESCO, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Translated by Tuyet Nhung
Link to Vietnamese Version

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