HANOI: Interagency collaboration in biodiversity protection is being highlighted as a key solution to maintaining progress in sustainable and green economic development.
A flexible mechanism among law enforcement forces, state management agencies and social organisations is considered essential to continuing achievements in forest protection, nature conservation and ecological balance, that is according to the Agriculture and Environment Ministry (MAE).
In a report, the ministry said that Vietnam currently has over 14.8 million ha of forest, with a coverage rate of 42.03%.
The country is home to 178 nature reserves, including 35 national parks that host thousands of endemic species. Vietnam also ranks among the top 10 countries globally with the highest biodiversity.
However, significant challenges remain regarding ecosystems and forest resources, including deforestation, illegal logging, wildlife trafficking and habitat degradation.
Violations are becoming increasingly sophisticated and organised, causing serious environmental damage and undermining Vietnam’s international reputation in fulfilling global conservation commitments.
Managing, conserving and sustainably growing forest resources and biodiversity requires coordinated efforts from the entire political system.
In this respect, state agencies in charge of forestry and biodiversity alongside environmental police forces play a crucial role in coordinating law enforcement and combating crime.
At an event in Hanoi in early November, a coordination plan to combat biodiversity-related crimes and violations during the 2025 to 2030 period was signed between the MAE’s Vietnam Forestry Administration and Nature and Biodiversity Conservation Agency, and the Public Security Ministry’s Department for Environmental Crime Prevention and Control (C05).
The plan is based on the Prime Minister’s Decision 1623/QD-TTg on strengthening the prevention and control of biodiversity crimes by 2030 towards 2050.
The goal is to enhance interagency coordination, improve legal frameworks and policies and strengthen enforcement capacity to manage, protect and sustainably develop natural resources, the Hanoi event heard.
Over the next five years, the three agencies will jointly implement several measures, including reviewing and improving legal regulations on conservation and handling violations.
They will also direct environmental police and forest rangers to patrol, investigate and address illegal trade, transportation and captivity of endangered species while increasing training, technical support and the monitoring capacity for tracking the origin of forest products and wildlife.
Public communication and legal education will be prioritised to raise community awareness and encourage the public to avoid consuming or using products derived from wildlife illegally sourced from forests.
Tran Quang Bao, the director of the Vietnam Forestry Administration, noted that this plan would be the beginning of comprehensive and robust cooperation among the agencies in nature conservation. — Viet Nam News/ANN
