Phong Nha – Ke Bang recognized as a world heritage for second time for its biodiversity by UNESCO

The recognition was approved after an agreement by members who attended the 39th conference by the World Heritage Committee (WHC), which was held in Bonn, Germany, on July 3.

It is the second time that Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park received UNESCO’s recognition, the first time in 2003 for its geological and geomorphologic values.

Located in Bo Trach district, Quang Binh province, the park is home to more than 2,934 identified species of flora and more than 800 species of fauna, many of which are listed among the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)’s Red Book for endangered species in the world.

The UN agency said: “The Park's landscape is formed by limestone plateaux and tropical forests. It features great geological diversity and offers spectacular phenomena, including a large number of caves and underground rivers”

"The site harbours a high level of biodiversity and many endemic species. The extension ensures a more coherent ecosystem while providing additional protection to the catchment areas that are of vital importance for the integrity of limestone landscapes."

The characteristic of the national park are its karsts that are millions of years old, and said to be most valuable in Southeast Asia. It has majestic landscapes with a spectacular cave system, abundant biological diversity and many historical and cultural relics, and underground rivers.

The Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park is the third site in Asia and the first in Southeast Asia to be recognized as a world natural heritage.

Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park to get UNESCO’s recognition for the second time is a honour for Vietnam in general and Quang Binh province in particular. This is also a driving force for the province to conserve natural resources, promote tourism and improve livelihoods for local people, helping environmental protection and socio-economic development of the localitity.

By Nhu Y
(Source: Quang Binh Portal)