An innovative conservation initiative was launched on April 14th, 2023 in the picturesque village of Thuan Hoan, Dong Hoa commune, Tuyen Hoa district, Quang Binh province in Vietnam. The Agriculture, Forestry, Business Production, and Trachypithecus hatinhensis Conservation Cooperative aim to protect the endangered Trachypithecus hatinhensis, commonly known as the white langur, and their habitat in the region.
The launch event, attended by representatives from various governmental organizations, was an important gathering that introduced the Cooperative to the general public and promoted cooperation toward safeguarding local wildlife. The Cooperative, highly active in their conservation efforts, engages in regular forest patrols to ensure continuous monitoring of the langurs and their habitat.
The Cooperative’s eight mandates, including forest plantation establishment and maintenance, mixed livestock production, and tourism services, are designed to create sustainable practices that will advance the economy, the local community, and the environment. The Cooperative also engages in voluntary conservation work and other income-generating ventures to aid conservation efforts.
With the support of the provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Centre for Highlands Natural Resources Governance (CEGORN) team, the Cooperative aims to continue participating in cooperative conservation and business endeavors while exploring new possibilities to improve the environment and bolster community livelihoods.
The Cooperative received support from MRLG in the form of capacity building on forest patrol and protection, a conservation database that is connected to the FPD’s software to facilitate reporting, equipment for forest patrols, accident insurance for members, and other forms of assistance. This support aimed to encourage active participation in forest patrols among members. Lien Tran Thi Kim, MRLG’s Vietnam Facilitator, notes “While we see the perseverance of the Cooperative and the increase in the langur population and other flora and fauna as an indication of success, we believe it is important to note that the success of this initiative was primarily due to the efforts of the Cooperative, with support from the CEGORN team, the local community, and the provincial government’s Department of Agriculture and Rural Development”.
The launch event was a promising step towards protecting Trachypithecus hatinhensis and its habitat while promoting sustainable practices and community engagement. The Cooperative’s commitment to the cause is an inspiring example of the potential for positive change in local conservation efforts.
