The workshop’s goal aimed to collect the demand and expectation from the buffer zone communities in Hon Chong area - Kien Luong district for natural conservation and development of proposed Hon Chong nature reserve and Kien Giang Biosphere Reserve as well.

Dr. Vu Ngoc Long introduced the Hon Chong karst at the workshop

Karst, a natural resource, which deposited in high amount in Kien Luong district does plays an important role not only in economic but also in culture, history and national defense of Kien Giang’s people and Mekong Delta area. Studies and researches have provided scientific proof on abundant and specific biodiversity of the local fauna and flora.

Karst mainly distributed in 4 communes of Kien Luong district (Binh An, Duong Hoa, Binh Tri communes and Kien Luong town) has been overexploited by cement companies. The people here are very concerned about environmental problems, especially dust pollution. In addition, natural resources including fauna and flora of the Karst such as Saurus Crane and Silver Langur are facing a serious depletion caused by human activities such as karst exploitation for cement production.

MsC. Nguyen Khac Thanh presented the biodiversity of Hon Chong karst.

The two-day workshop was organized in 4 communes in Kien Luong district and hosted 109 people from communities of Hon Chong Karst area including 24 women and 29 Khmer people. Most of participants are local authorities and people who have been living for long time there and have thorough knowledge of livelihoods, cultural, economic and social activities of the area. During the workshop, solutions and opinions on the biodiversity and development from communities’ representatives were collected and analyzed. That is the important information resource to build a biodiversity and sustainable development for the Karst in Kien Luong district.

Here are some photos from the workshop:

Dr. Vu Ngoc Long was discussing with villagers at Duong Hoa commune. Most of villagers Khmer people and have lived in the area for long time.

Dr. Vu Ngoc Long is discussing with Mr. Duong Ty, an 86 years old Khmer man in the Duong Hoa commune

Villagers were discussing on economic and social conditions at Binh Tri commune

Dr. Vu Ngoc long was discussing on the discussion result via SWOT.

Ms. Ong Kim Hue presented discussion result via SWOT in Binh Tri commune.

Dr. Vu Ngoc Long presented discussion result via SWOT in Binh Tri commune.

Mr. Huynh Phat Dong, vice president of Duong Hoa commune people’s committee addressed closing speech

THÙY LIÊN/CBD