Water resource management received international attention at the World Summit on Sustainable Development, the Third World Water Forum in Kyoto and the International Year of Freshwater in 2003. In Viet Nam, management of water resources is a critical issue as it is one of the most disaster-prone countries in the world. Typhoons, droughts, landslides and mud flows have worsened in recent years.
To preserve Viet Nam’s aquatic biodiversity, management of the already established systems is as important as creating more protected areas. The linkage between development activities and their impact on water resources and wetlands has not been addressed adequately. Furthermore, emphasis on better understanding of how the livelihoods of local inhabitants are linked to wetland resources is vital for the success of conservation activities.
Water and Wetlands
Viet Nam still needs to make considerable efforts to preserve its aquatic biodiversity, not only by creating more protected areas, but also by improving the management of the established systems.
