Indigenous Communities – Bodyguards of the Forest

There are numerous forests in Vietnam where local communities are the most active protector, thanks to their belief that the ones their ancestors had left are God’s residences. By worshiping the holiness of the Gods, communities have closely protected these forests for thousands of years, using their traditional regulations and customs. However, there is a long and challenging way to go before people can really play their role.

With legal frameworks adequately empowering and supporting the communities, they will be fully capable of sustainable natural resources management and biodiversity conservation. This also helps Vietnam get closer to achieving the biodiversity conservation goals that it has internationally committed to.