Science awed by wonders of Cu Lao Cham

Seminar aims to protect island’s unique ecosystem with UNESCO biosphere reserve status.

The archipelago Cu Lao Cham will be proposed as a UNESCO’s biosphere reserve area. — VNA/VNS Photo Vu Cong Dien

The Viet Nam Man and Biosphere Committee held a seminar last Thursday to assess research efforts on Cu Lao Cham Island, in conjunction with the People’s Committee of the central province of Quang Nam.

By compiling the research, seminar organisers aim to create a proposal to UNESCO to name the island a Biosphere Reserve Area.

According to researchers from the Nha Trang Oceanography Institute, Cu Lao Cham’s diverse ecological system has yet to be sufficiently explored and protected.

Located 19km from the ancient town of Hoi An, Cu Lao Cham is an archipelago with eight islands including Ong, Dai and Tai. The islands are an excellent source of seafood, with yen sao (salangane’s nests) one of their most valuable products.

Surrounding Cu Lao Cham are 5,200ha available for the growth of coral. The current 165ha of coral reef feature 135 species of coral, 202 of fish, four of lobster and 84 of mollusk.

Studies conducted by the Institute of Medicinal Materials, the Institute of Mechanics and the University of Natural Science suggest that the island may feature many valuable and rare medicinal herbs among its unique flora and fauna.

At the seminar, representatives also discussed the possibility of making the Biosphere Reserve Area include both Cu Lao Cham and lower sections of the Thu Bon and Vu Gia rivers and the Tranh River Nature Reserve Area. According to the current plan, the Biosphere Reserve Area will be built on 120,000ha, while Cua Dai mangrove forest and the town of Hoi An will occupy 40,000ha.

Another workshop will be held in February in Ha Noi to complete the proposal that will be sent to UNESCO by April.

Source: VNS