VietNamNet Bridge – UNESCO has refused to recognise Cat Tien National Park as a world natural heritage site due to its failure to meet the organisation’s requirements.
Cat Tien National Park is home to many rare birds, including red-headed cranes.
Communications Officer of the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) Duong Viet Hong said Cat Tien National Park had received UNESCO recognition as a Biosphere Reserve Zone and its Bau Sau Wetlands were acknowledged as a national Ramsar site.
Experts at a meeting held by the World Heritage Committee on May 3 this year said that the national park should apply stricter and more effective protection and management measures to fight against threats such as hydropower plant construction, quarrying and wild animal trading which have had a major effect on the park’s value, Hong added.
Cat Tien National Park stretches across three provinces of Lam Dong, Dong Nai and Binh Phuoc and covers 71,920 ha. It is now one of the six biggest biosphere reserve zones in the world. It was nominated to become a UNESCO natural world heritage site.
The park is home to 1,700 flora species and more than 700 types of rare animals and birds. It also accommodates around 120 rare wild bulls.
However, in April 2010, the only Javan rhino living in Cat Tien National Park was found shot dead by poachers, raising public concern over its management.
This was later followed by news of a wild bull being killed by people in Phuoc Cat Commune for sale at a local market.
Source: DTriNews