Germany continues Tam Dao Park aid

Source: Nhan Dan

The German Government will dole out a further EUR 2 million non-refundable aid package for the second phase of a scheme that looks to protect forests in Tam Dao National Park and it's surrounding buffer zones, reported the Vietnam News Agency from Vinh Phuc province.

An agreement underscoring the importance of the 3-year project was signed by officials from the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Germany Technical Cooperation (GTZ) organisation in Hanoi, on July 2.

The second phase of the initiative that will run till 2009 will improve the management capacity of forest wardens and officials as well as the living conditions of local people in the buffer zones that straddle the three provinces of Vinh Phuc, Thai Nguyen and Tuyen Quang.

The 2003-06 first phase was provided with an aid package of 1.8 million Euros and was carried out in 26 villages of the three provinces' eight districts that focused on sustainable development, poverty reduction and environmental protection.

Covering an area of 36,900 ha, the Tam Dao National Forest is one of the largest national forests in Vietnam and is home to an abundant and diverse ecosystem that includes 2,500 different species of flora and fauna.