Lessons Learned from Pilot Model of Community Based Sustainable Use of Natural Resources in Tram Chim National Park, Vietnam

Abstract

Co-management has been accepted as one way to address conservation and development issues since 1992. Vietnam currently has no legal framework for co-management, but involving local people in management and sustainable use of natural resources has been trialed, with positive outcomes for conservation and poverty alleviation. One such pilot in Tram Chim National Park has involved extensive consultation with local people, and encourages sustainable use of wetland resources - in a controlled manner and within defined areas. The trial has helped reduce the incidence of forest fire, generated income for forest-dependent communities and importantly gained local support.