Biodiversity

The project aims to:

• improve biodiversity conservation
• contribute to poverty reduction through economic valuation and commercialization of biodiversity-based products

In order to realize the aforementioned objectives, the project will be carried out by increasing capacity and awareness for sustainable production, marketing and consumption of BBPs in Cambodia, Laos and Viet Nam. The dynamics of the Green Growth Concept shall be used to identify processes and synergies to strengthen the protection and sustainable use of biodiversity.

Participatory Planning: Way Forward to Achieving Sustainable Development

The continuing degradation of the natural ecosystems in Cambodia, Laos and Viet Nam (CLV) is further complicated with the growing population in and around the buffer zones of protected areas. To bring sustainability in these areas, the biodiversity conservation need to be established as it addresses the economic demands for the goods and services derived from these areas. The Biodiversity Based Product (BBP) Project, being jointly implemented by the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity and GIZ aims to create an opportunity for conservation and livelihood schemes through value chain development for communities in these areas.

The baseline studies including gap analyses in the target areas consisting of the Phnom Kulen National Park in Cambodia; the Nam Ha ASEAN Heritage Park, Luan Namtha, Lao PDR; and the Ba Be and Hoang Lien ASEAN Heritage Parks in Viet Nam were completed as the bases for intervention planning in addressing issues on natural resource use, conservation, and sustainability. The economic demands for the natural resources pose threats on the viability of these parks as population pressure breaks through the buffer zones and protected areas.

The project is currently on the stages of finalizing and confirming with the CLV environment ministries and the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity (ACB) the BBP implementation plans consisting of value chain development targets that will be carried out by the communities themselves with the assistance both from their governments and project team. Cambodia’s plan pursues value chain development for three biodiversity-based commodities comprising Zingiberaceae spp, bamboo handicraft, and wild honey; Lao PDR with bamboo for handicraft and furniture; and Vietnam, Bo Khai herb and honey in Ba Be AHP and medicinal herbs and Giao Co Lam (tea) in Hoang Lien, Sa Pa AHP.

The BBP is a recent Project under the supervision of the ASEAN Centre for Biodiversity (ACB). ACB has the mandate to support the implementation of the CBD, its Aichi Targets, and particularly the Nagoya Protocol on ABS (Aichi Target 16) in the ASEAN Member States. The ACB is also the secretariat of the ASEAN Heritage Park initiative, presently covering 38 unique Protected Areas in all ASEAN Countries.

The design of BBP aims at highlighting the relevance of a Regional Inter-Government Organization – ACB – in the framework of mainstreaming biodiversity conservation, sustainable development, addressing human wellbeing in a rural ASEAN context.

BBP is prone to enhance ACBs role and credibility through proven practice experience, providing field evidence for successful Aichi Target implementation. Its regional mandate facilitates the process of knowledge development and interchange as well as the development of a series of best cases for sustainable development cum biodiversity conservation.