Dong Nai committed to effectively protecting and enhancing Cat Tien National Park’s values

On November 6, the Dong Nai City People’s Committee held a ceremony at Cat Tien National Park to announce the Prime Minister’s decision to transfer the park to the committee.

Speaking at the ceremony, Nguyen Van Ut, Deputy Secretary of the Dong Nai City Party Committee and Chairman of the City People’s Committee, emphasized that the event marked the continuation of the responsibility to preserve the nation’s precious natural heritage. It also presented new requirements for the city in managing, conserving, and promoting the values of Cat Tien National Park. He acknowledged and expressed appreciation for the dedicated contributions of generations of staff and workers who have preserved, protected, and developed the park over the years.

Nguyen Van Ut, Deputy Secretary of the Dong Nai City Party Committee and Chairman of the City People’s Committee, speaks at the announcement ceremony. Photo: Cong Nghia

Cat Tien National Park holds a special place in the ecological landscape of southern Vietnam and in the hearts of Dong Nai’s people. The park has high biodiversity value in Vietnam and plays a crucial role in forest protection, the conservation of rare flora and fauna, water regulation, the protection of the Dong Nai River basin, and the maintenance of regional ecological balance. It is the most important core zone of the Dong Nai Biosphere Reserve.

In 2001, the park was recognized by UNESCO as a World Biosphere Reserve. In 2005, the Bau Sau wetland area was designated as a Ramsar site of international importance. In 2012, the park was classified as a special national relic, and in 2024, it became Vietnam’s first national park to be included on the Green List established by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

Dong Nai City recognizes that taking over Cat Tien National Park means not only assuming control and management of a forested area but, more importantly, accepting responsibility for preserving an invaluable national natural asset for present and future generations. In this spirit, the city is committed to focusing on the following key tasks.

First, the city will focus its leadership and direction on immediately preparing a dossier for submission to UNESCO to seek recognition of Cat Tien National Park as a World Natural Heritage Site.

Second, in forest management and protection, the city will focus on consolidating the organizational structure and investing in facilities and transport infrastructure to ensure the park’s stable, continuous, and uninterrupted operation after the handover. It will also advance the application of science, technology, and digital transformation in managing and monitoring forest resources, proactively prevent and combat forest fires, and curb deforestation, forest land encroachment, and wildlife poaching.

Third, in conserving biodiversity and promoting the park’s internationally recognized values, the city will continue implementing conservation and sustainable forest management programs and projects. It will fully meet the commitments and criteria associated with the UNESCO-recognized World Biosphere Reserve, the Green List, and the Bau Sau site. At the same time, it will step up scientific research, international cooperation, environmental education, and sustainable ecotourism development to make the park an exemplary nature conservation destination aligned with the city’s green growth agenda.

Fourth, the city will launch a campaign to encourage public participation in wildlife protection. It calls on authorities at all levels, sectors, the Fatherland Front, mass organizations, and the general public to join hands in putting the message into practice: “Do not hunt, trade in wildlife, or consume wild meat.” It is essential to recognize that protecting wildlife is not just the duty of forest rangers but must become a conscious practice for every citizen.

Fifth, the city affirms that forest protection must go hand in hand with securing livelihoods and improving people’s material and spiritual lives. It will focus on building sustainable livelihood models, developing community-based tourism and ecological agriculture, and supporting vocational training, job creation, and income growth. It will also safeguard people’s lawful and legitimate rights and interests during the administrative transfer and boundary adjustments. Local people must truly benefit from forest protection and become a vital force working alongside the State to preserve and enhance the value of the park.

Dong Nai City leaders and representatives of departments, sectors, and agencies tour the plant and animal specimen exhibition hall at Cat Tien National Park. Photo: Cong Nghia

The city leader requested that the park’s Board of Directors continue to strengthen its sense of responsibility and solidarity and proactively provide advice on management, conservation, and development solutions suited to practical conditions. He also called on the board to build on and carry forward the achievements painstakingly earned by generations of the park’s cadres, public employees, and workers over the years.

Looking ahead to the 330th anniversary of the land of Dong Nai, the city hopes to vigorously promote living in harmony with nature, environmental protection, and biodiversity conservation. In particular, following this announcement ceremony, the forest and wildlife protection movement will continue to gain widespread momentum, instilling pride and a sense of responsibility in every Dong Nai citizen to safeguard these invaluable natural assets. Dong Nai City is committed to effectively managing, protecting, and promoting the values of Cat Tien National Park, striking a harmonious balance between nature conservation and socioeconomic development, and between environmental protection and improvements in people’s quality of life.

Cat Tien National Park boasts rich biodiversity, with numerous rare and precious species of flora and fauna. Source: Cat Tien National Park

By Ngoc Lien, Le Quyen – Translated by Minh Hong, Thu Ha