Decision No. 1479/QD-TTg approves the planning for the system of inland water conservation areas until 2020.

Pursuant to …;

Approving the planning for the system of inland water conservation areas until 2020

until 2020

___________________________

PRIME MINISTER

Pursuant to the Law on Organization of the Government dated December 25, 2001;

Based on the Fisheries Law dated November 26, 2003;

Pursuant to Decree No. 27/2005/NĐ-CP dated March 8, 2005 of the Government detailing and guiding the implementation of certain provisions of the Fisheries Law; dated March 8, 2005, of the Government detailing and guiding the implementation of certain Articles of the Fisheries Law;

On the basis of Decree No. 109/2003/NĐ-CP dated September 23, 2003 of the Government on the conservation and sustainable development of wetland areas;

Considering the proposal of the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development,

DECISION:

Article 1. Approving the Planning for the System of Inland Water Conservation Areas until 2020, with the main contents as follows:

I. GUIDING PRINCIPLES

1. The planning for the system of inland water conservation areas must be consistent with the strategy for the development of the fisheries industry and the overall planning for the development of the fisheries industry until 2010, with a vision to 2020, which has been approved by the Prime Minister.

2. Scientific surveys and research on fishery resources and the diversity of aquatic ecosystems in inland waters must be carried out one step ahead, prioritizing areas with rare aquatic species of high economic, scientific value, and at high risk of extinction.

3. The conservation of inland waters must be considered both an urgent and long-term task for the whole society; at the same time, policies, measures, and international cooperation must be emphasized to protect, rationally exploit fishery resources, sustainably develop fishing industries, and protect the diversity of aquatic ecosystems in inland waters.

II. OBJECTIVES

1. General Objective

Gradually establish a system of conservation areas to protect, restore, and regenerate fishery resources, especially rare and valuable aquatic species of high economic and scientific value, protecting aquatic ecosystems in inland waters; encourage community participation in managing, exploiting, and using fishery resources reasonably, ensuring ecological balance, and preserving biodiversity in inland waters at a high level.

2. Specific objectives

a) Period 2008 - 2010:

- Complete the planning for the system of inland water conservation areas.

- Establish and put into operation five conservation areas representing the Red River Basin, the Mekong Delta, and the Central Highlands.

b) Period 2011 - 2015:

- Establish and put into operation twenty-five inland water conservation areas, including one transnational conservation area for species.

c) Period 2016 - 2020:

- Establish and put into operation fifteen inland water conservation areas.

- Complete the system of inland water conservation areas (Annex to the planning for the system of inland water conservation areas attached).

III. SCOPE OF PLANNING

The system of inland water conservation areas will be planned and constructed in all 63 provinces and cities nationwide and divided into seven agricultural economic regions including: northern mountainous provinces, Red River Delta, North Central Coast, South Central Coast, Central Highlands, Southeast Region, and Mekong Delta.

IV. TASKS OF THE PLANNING

1. Period 2008 - 2010

- Complete the planning for the system of inland water conservation areas and submit it for approval by competent authorities.

- Finalize detailed planning and prepare documentation to submit for approval by competent authorities to establish five representative inland water conservation areas in three regions: Red River Delta (two conservation areas), Mekong Delta (two conservation areas), and Central Highlands (one conservation area).

- Build a database on biodiversity, current status of aquatic ecosystems, and rare aquatic species at risk of extinction in inland water conservation areas throughout the country.

2. Period 2011 - 2015

- Finalize detailed planning and prepare documentation to submit for approval by competent authorities to establish an additional twenty-five inland water conservation areas.

- Continue updating and supplementing the database on the current status of aquatic ecosystems and rare aquatic species at risk of extinction in inland water conservation areas throughout the country.

- Train and build a cadre of conservation staff with management capabilities and specialized knowledge from central to local levels; train cadres and community residents in localities with conservation areas on basic knowledge related to conservation.

3. Period 2016 - 2020

- Continue detailed planning for remaining water bodies and conservation areas;

- Finalize detailed planning and prepare documentation to submit for approval by competent authorities to establish an additional fifteen inland water conservation areas.

- Form a network of inland water conservation areas in Vietnam.

- Monitor and control changes in biodiversity, ecosystems, and rare aquatic species in each conservation area; update and supplement information on the entire system of conservation areas on a database to serve management purposes.

- Attract community resources, organizations, and individuals both domestically and internationally to participate in building and managing inland water conservation areas to effectively manage and utilize these areas, create livelihoods for communities, and contribute to environmental protection.

V. MAIN SOLUTIONS

1. Study and build mechanisms and policies to encourage organizations, individuals, particularly local communities, to participate in protecting and rationally exploiting fishery resources, and protecting aquatic ecosystems in inland waters; assign and decentralize responsibilities to local authorities for organizing management and protection of conservation areas within their jurisdiction.

2. Develop and effectively implement projects and programs for scientific surveys and research as a basis for identifying and proposing specific conservation areas and protective measures for each conservation area. Initially, focus on surveying and researching water bodies with many rare and valuable aquatic species of high economic and scientific value, at high risk of extinction.

3. Strengthen information dissemination and propaganda about the benefits and responsibilities of society, particularly local communities living around conservation areas, in preserving and protecting conservation areas, contributing to protecting the diversity of aquatic ecosystems and fishery resources in inland waters. Organize selection and construction of community-based conservation area management models in places with favorable conditions. Train and build a cadre of conservation staff with management capabilities and specialized knowledge from central to local levels; simultaneously train cadres and community residents in localities with conservation areas on basic knowledge related to conservation.

4. Strengthen international cooperation to attract financial and technical assistance for investigation, scientific research, and staff training; expand scientific exchange and cooperation with other countries, particularly neighboring countries, to exchange and learn management and protection experiences of inland water conservation areas.

5. Study and develop, improve legal regulatory documents on managing inland conservation areas: Government Decrees, Circulars guiding management regulations, classification criteria, procedures, and formalities for establishing inland conservation areas...

6. Regarding investment capital requirements

The state budget will focus on investing in overall planning, detailed planning for 45 inland water conservation areas, constructing essential infrastructure projects, and supporting the activities of the Program Management Board and for national and internationally significant conservation areas or those spanning multiple provinces. Mobilize the participation and funding from domestic and foreign organizations and individuals for investment, management, and exploitation of other conservation areas.

The total estimated cost and allocation by phases are as follows:

The total estimated cost is approximately: 85,000 million VND, including:

- Phase 2008 - 2010: 15,000 million VND;

- Phase 2011 - 2015: 50,000 million VND;

- Phase 2016 - 2020: 20,000 million VND.

VI. IMPLEMENTATION

1. The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development shall be responsible for

- Taking the lead and coordinating with relevant ministries, sectors, and localities to implement this plan.

- Directing and guiding localities to build and submit to competent authorities for approval the establishment of inland water conservation areas according to the administrative levels in various ecological regions nationwide.

- Establishing and organizing the management of national-level inland water conservation areas established by the Prime Minister.

2. Relevant ministries and sectors

- The Ministry of Planning and Investment, the Ministry of Finance, based on this plan, shall be responsible for allocating and balancing investment capital for specific projects so that the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and related localities can effectively implement the plan.

- Relevant ministries and sectors shall be responsible for participating and creating favorable conditions for the formation and effective management of the system of inland water conservation areas.

3. People's Committees of provinces and centrally governed cities

- Directing competent agencies to build and submit to competent authorities for the establishment and organization of management of inland water conservation areas according to administrative levels.

- Coordinating with the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and related agencies to organize publicity, dissemination, and legal education on the benefits and responsibilities in protecting and participating in the management of conservation areas; at the same time, directing the strengthening of inspection and supervision of law enforcement in this field; building community-based conservation area management models at the local level.

- Allocating local government budget resources and establishing mechanisms to encourage economic sectors to participate in effectively investing in and exploiting conservation areas at the local level.

Article 2. This Decision takes effect 15 days after its publication in the Official Gazette.

Article 3. The Ministers, Heads of ministerial-level agencies, Heads of government agencies, Chairpersons of provincial People's Committees under the direct jurisdiction of the central government shall be responsible for implementing this Decision./.