Community-based conservation provides livelihoods on Chàm Islands
The community’s collaborative marine conservation efforts in recent years have provided sustainable livelihoods for the residents of Chàm Islands in Quảng Nam Province. Recognised as a World Biosphere Reserve since 2009 by UNESCO, the Chàm Islands-Hội An World Biosphere Reserve covers the ancient town of Hội An and the lower area of the Thu Bồn River.
Concerned about the potential extinction of local land crabs, the Management Board of the Cù Lao Chàm Marine Protected Area, together with Hội An authorities, initiated conservation measures in 2006 which also helped create sustainable livelihoods for the island’s residents, the Tài Nguyên & Môi Trường (Natural Resources & Environment) online newspaper reported.
Trần Thị Hồng Thúy, deputy head of the Chàm-Hội An World Biosphere Reserve, told that the site has developed a comprehensive management system. This system integrates various approaches, including creating an ecosystem, river basin, coast and island management, aiming to preserve and enhance local and globally significant values in line with UNESCO’s expectations.
