Threatened and alien species in Vietnam: background and recommendations for the content of the national Biodiversity Law

[Report 32. Main report 0.6 MB. pdf format [1]] and [Report 32. Appendix 1 1.3 MB. pdf format [2]]

Executive Summary

Vietnam is one of the most biodiversity-rich countries in the world, holding much biodiversity not found elsewhere. However, Vietnam also ranks as one of the countries in the world with the most biodiversity under threat. Current Vietnamese legislation goes some way to protecting national biodiversity, and addressing threats to it, but is still dispersed and incomplete. This has led to the need for a new, unifying Biodiversity Law. At the request of the Department of Environment, Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment of Vietnam, this document analyses the current situation with regard to threatened and alien species in Vietnam, current legislation that relates to such species, gaps and discrepancies in this legislation, and international legal experience that could help to instruct Vietnam in developing a new Biodiversity Law. Finally, recommendations are provided on provisions, relating to threatened and alien species, to be included in the new Biodiversity Law.

Overall, key needs identified (given in more detail in sections 6 and 10) are:

Threatened species
1. Introduction of legal status for Vietnamese Red Data Books and synchronisation of protected lists with national and global threatened species lists;
2. Significant augmentation and standardisation of lists of protected (‘rare and precious’) species;
3. Further legislation to enable existing terrestrial habitat protection stipulations for threatened species;
4. Authorisation of a national focal body or bodies to deal with inland water and marine conservation, backed by new legislation to provide the basis for aquatic protected areas systems;
5. Designation and protection of Ramsar sites;
6. Substantially increased penalties for breaking laws related to biodiversity, specifically including exploitation or trading of protected species.

Alien species
1. Authorisation of a national focal body responsible for invasive alien species issues, including development of a comprehensive strategy;
2. Strict measures and financial penalties to prevent intentional introduction of invasive alien species;
3. Quarantine regulations and restrictions on trade of pets and ornamental plants to prevent unintentional introductions;
4. Stipulations requiring eradication, or at least control and containment, of invasive alien species once established, with priority to Special-use forests and critical natural habitats for threatened species, such as Important Bird Areas and Key Biodiversity Areas.

[Report 32. Main report 0.6 MB. pdf format [1]] and [Report 32. Appendix 1 1.3 MB. pdf format [2]]