GREENVIET RECEIVED A CERTIFICATE FOR CONTRIBUTION IN DANANG-ENVIRONMENTAL CITY
On June 5, 2019, at the conference to review the 10 years of implementing the project “Danang – Environmental city”, GreenViet and the other 22 organizations have been honored by the Chairman of the Danang City’s People’s Committee for their contribution. In nearly 08 years of establishment and development (2012 – 2019), GreenViet has contributed many efforts to Danang City in the field of environmental protection, biodiversity conservation, especially for the ‘Red-shanked Douc Conservation Program’ in Son Tra Peninsula to preserve one of the largest population of this endangered species in the wild.
In the scientific research site, GreenViet has contributed some significant results such as studying the microbiota in the stomach of the Red-shanked douc langur in Son Tra Peninsula; Planting 1,000 domestic trees to restore living habitat for Son Tra doucs. In 2017, for the first time, a study on the population of the Red-shanked douc langur in Son Tra peninsula was carried out with the result of about 1,300 individuals. From 2015 to 2019, GreenViet also collaborated with the Southern Institute of Ecology to run a project in the Restoration of biodiversity in Son Tra Nature Reserve. As a result, biodiversity data has been updated for Da Nang City with more than 1,010 species of plants and nearly 380 species of animals in Son Tra NR. These results have played an important role in showing the status of biodiversity in Son Tra peninsula as well as to recommend solutions to protect and preserve under the pressure of development activities in Da Nang. GreenViet also collaborated with Ba Na Nui Chua Special-used Forest Management Board to investigate mammal fauna species, that has recorded some important species for this site such as Northern gibbon, Red-shanked Douc, and Civet. A number of other endangered species has been also recorded through a camera trap program that has contributed to the biodiversity database for one of the largest areas of special-use forest in Da Nang city. GreenViet has published two scientific articles related to the Red-shanked Douc species in Son Tra Peninsula on international journals.
In addition, GreenViet has led to many awareness programs to change the attitude of the public about the value and importance of biodiversity. In 2014, GreenViet runs a project to reduce wildlife consumption in Da Nang city, which coordinated with the Department of Natural Resources and Environment and Department of Culture and Information in 6 districts of Danang city. This cooperation has been strengthening in the following years, creating a remarkable impact in mobilizing community participation in the protection of endangered wildlife and plants. One of GreenViet’s outstanding achievements in education is to offer opportunities for more than 20,000 people and students in Da Nang city to learn and experience nature and biodiversity conservation. In addition, ’I Love Son Tra Journey’ from 2013 has offered opportunities for more than 4,000 citizens to observe and study about Red-shanked douc langur’s behavior in Son Tra Peninsula, Da Nang.
As a result, Red-shanked douc langur in Son Tra has become a key figure in the biodiversity symbol of Da Nang city since 2016. Besides, the private sector in Viet Nam has been motivated to participate more in biodiversity conservation in Da Nang.
More than 20 bus stations have displayed an image of Red-shanked Douc and conservation message since 2015 thanks to the initiative of Thien Bach Minh company. In 2018, the first Nature Education Center has been built for free for Danang citizens thanks to great support from businesses and communities. So far it has been welcomed 2,000 visitors this year.
Furthermore, in order to contribute recommendations for the city development projects, GreenViet annually organizes consultation workshops, seminars, exhibitions, and other activities. More than 6 photo exhibitions and 6 workshops related to biodiversity protection for Da Nang city have been organized since 2013. Greenview has also contributed many critical comments and suggestions to programs and projects related to biodiversity conservation of the city, such as providing evidence of scientific data on the biodiversity of Son Tra for the community and authorities to review and adjust the Son Tra National Tourism Master Plan, giving suggestions to related Laws and Decrees such as the Forestry Law.
During the last 8 years, GreenViet has sought and expanded cooperation with other international organizations such as IUCN, WWF, FFI, San Diego Zoo, FZS, CEPF fund, Disney Conservation Fund, ECODIT, USAID. Thereby, it has mobilized a source of foreign non-governmental aids of more than VND 3 billion for biodiversity conservation activities in Da Nang city.
The contribution of GreenViet for biodiversity conservation and environmental protection has been recognized by agencies from central to local levels. In 2017, GreenViet was the only NGO that received the Vietnam Environment Award by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment. In the same year, the Chairman of Da Nang City People’s Committee awarded the Certificate of Merit to the Center’s leaders, and Vietnam Union of Science and Technology Associations awarded the Certificate of Merit in the period 2012 – 2017.
