Baby turtles at Núi Chúa National Park. — VNA/VNS Photo

NINH THUẬN — Authorities of south central Ninh Thuận Province have strengthened measures to conserve endangered and rare species of marine fauna and flora, and sustainably restore and develop the ecosystem of the Núi Chúa National Park Marine Protected Area.

The provincial People's Committee issued a plan on the management of the Núi Chúa National Park Marine Protected Area in the 2021-2025 period with a budget of over VNĐ3.3 billion (nearly US$145,000), which will focus on activities to preserve the value of natural resources and cultural - historical relics, and rationally exploit and promote the value of the marine protected area.

The management of the marine protected area will be carried out on an area of 7,352ha. 

The provincial People's Committee requested the Núi Chúa National Park Management Board to strengthen the management and protection of the marine protected area in accordance with regulations on the management of marine protected areas in Việt Nam; coordinate with relevant departments and sectors to conduct scientific research, restoration and reproduction of aquatic species of fauna and flora and the natural marine ecosystem.

Ecotourism activities in the reserve must not adversely affect the environment of the marine protected area and ensure security and order in the maritime border area.

Resources to be protected and managed include coral reef ecosystems, and seaweed and sea-grass ecosystems. In particular, priority will be given to endangered, precious, and rare species of flora and fauna listed in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List and the Vietnam Red Data Book of Việt Nam.

The Núi Chúa National Park in Ninh Thuận Province was recognised by UNESCO as a global biosphere reserve at the 33rd session of its International Coordinating Council of the Man and the Biosphere Programme (MAB-ICC) held in Nigeria from September 13-17, 2021.

The 106,646-ha Núi Chúa Biosphere Reserve encompasses the terrestrial and marine areas of Ninh Thuận and is located at the end of the Trường Sơn Mountain Range where the climate is harsh with sunny, hot and arid weather and minimal rainfall.

The Núi Chúa Biosphere Reserve is endowed with 1,511 species of flora, of which 54 are recorded in the Vietnam Red Data Book and the IUCN Red List.

It is also home to 765 animal species including mammals, birds and amphibians.

With a sea area of 7,352ha, the underwater ecosystem of the Núi Chúa National Park – the core area of the Núi Chúa Biosphere Reserve, is also equally rich. It is home to 304 species of corals, 188 types of seaweed, 147 species of fish, 115 species of molluscs, and 80 species of crustaceans.

According to Trần Văn Tiếp, director of the management board of the reserve, the unit has cooperated with domestic and foreign scientific research organisations to investigate and evaluate the potential, and build data on marine resources and environment within the reserve as a basis for implementing projects on environmental protection and marine ecosystem restoration. 

The board is implementing plans and solutions to effectively and sustainably protect sea turtle populations and their habitats, and other endangered and rare aquatic species, Tiếp said. — VNS