Vietnam

With about 100 individuals left, the cao vit gibbon is one of the most endangered primates in the world and in dire need of conservation support. Alongside ecological research and direct protection of the gibbon’s habitat, FFI helps local communities reduce their impact on the gibbon’s forest home. For example, we have introduced domestic bio-gas plants and fuel-efficient stoves to reduce the demand for fuel wood from the forest.  FFI supported the establishment of a new protected area for the species in 2007. This project is integrated with cao vit gibbon activities in China.

Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park, a World Heritage Site, is the richest location for primates in Indo-china, containing ten different primate species.  FFI has been active since 1998 and is now supporting the management authorities to protect the park and its biodiversity. We are helping to establish a scientific research team to enhance knowledge of the park and advise on community-based Forest Patrol Groups.

In addition, FFI works to improve local people’s livelihoods by establishing forest gardens which create habitat corridors, helping to maintain the forest’s ecosystem services.

The elusive Tonkin snub-nosed monkey faces extinction unless the 200 or so remaining individuals are protected. After discovering a new population in 2002 in Ha Giang Province, FFI succeeded in addressing the short-term threat of hunting by supporting gun controls and establishing community ranger groups. We have also supported long-term research and in 2009 supported local government to establish a protected area for the species. In 2007 FFI confirmed the presence of another important population close to the Chinese border and is now actively conserving it through similar measures.

FFI is supporting local communities to protect the critically endangered western black crested gibbon and its mountain forest habitat located at the south-eastern end of the Himalayan range.   We have been working closely with local communities around the gibbon’s habitat for more than a decade, helping to develop one of the most innovative models in Vietnam for involving local communities in conservation.

With support from the Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund and in partnership with local NGOs, FFI is starting a new initiative to protect endangered primates and trees, such as Francois’ langur and the critically endangered conifer Tiwania, at 11 locations within the limestone mountains of the north-east. We will focus on investigating the best way to plan conservation interventions in conjunction with local communities who have had little previous exposure to conservation but whose forests harbour important populations of threatened primates and trees.

For the past decade, FFI has been in the vanguard of organisations developing models to involve local communities in conservation in Vietnam. With funding from the European Commission, FFI will work to consolidate its experiences at three protected areas in northern Vietnam, each with its own set of opportunities and challenges.

Through this project, in partnership with local organisation PanNature, we will support grass roots organisations to develop roles in the management of local protected areas and collate the lessons learned to provide policy and practice recommendations to the national government.

FFI is working with local people, tour operators, local authorities and nature reserve staff to develop sustainable community-based tourism around Pu Luong Nature Reserve in northern Vietnam. We aim to provide a source of income for the local Thai and Muong people to help reduce unsustainable use of the forests.

The widespread collection of firewood damages the fragile karst ecosystem, which supports a huge array of threatened species. Thus, the revenue from tourism will help to conserve the biodiversity and natural resources of the local landscape.

FFI’s ‘floating classroom’, the EcoBoat, has taught thousands of Vietnamese school children the importance of balancing their nation’s economic development with preservation of the natural environment and biological diversity. During their day trips in magically beautiful Ha Long Bay, a World Heritage Site, the students explore caves and mangrove forests, interview fishermen and women and take part in lively debates.

The EcoBoat has been absorbed into the government’s Ha Long Bay Management Department but is intended to evolve into an independent civil society organisation.