Ca Mau takes stand against illegal wildlife use

The campaign aims to combat the poaching and trafficking of wildlife and ensuring food safety at dining establishments and restaurants.

In his opening remarks, Chairman of the district People's Committee Huynh Minh Nguyen urged local sectors, businesses, and residents to respond to the campaign, stressing the initiative should be seen as a shared responsibility and duty of every individual and organisation in protecting nature and public health, and fostering a healthy and sustainable business environment.

U Minh district is home to the U Minh Ha National Park which strictly manages and conserves biodiversity, including numerous rare wildlife species prioritised for protection and prohibited from exploitation, trading, and consumption in any form. However, the locality is grappling with a host of challenges in nature conservation, including the illegal hunting, trafficking, and consumption of wildlife.

Head of the provincial Forest Protection Department Le Van Hai called on localities to strengthen the leadership role of Party committees, the management of authorities, and the collective strength of the political system and the public, in preventing and combating relevant crimes.

He underlined the necessity to enhance communications activities to raise awareness and responsibility among organisations and individuals in complying with legal regulations, and in detecting, reporting, and handling violations.

For her part, Le Thi Kim Ngan from the SVW shared insights into efforts to slow the progression of the earth's sixth mass extinction, outlining four key actions of the campaign, including refusing, opposing, and not abetting restaurants that use wildlife illegally.

On the occasion, an inter-sectoral team to carry out activities promoting wildlife protection across the district was established.