Vietnam’s Phong Nha-Ke Bang: Unique Biodiversity

Vietnam’s Phong Nha-Ke Bang: Unique Biodiversity

Question : Phong Nha-Ke Bang, a UNESCO world heritage site recognised for its geo-diversity, has won the second title from the UN body for its biodiversity. Discuss the value of this park for preserving unique biodiversity.

- 21 member countries of the World Heritage Committee recently approved the application of Vietnamese national park Phong Nha-Ke Bang for biodiversity recognition

- The park is located within the central province of Quang Binh, a natural world heritage known for its geological history and structure

- Park is spread over 123,000 ha which is nearly 304 million acres

- This park is home to a massive network of 400 million year old caves including the largest in the world, Son Doong

- A 2000 WWF report indicated that Phong Nha-Ke Bang is one of the unique 200 biodiversity centres of the world home to 16 types of forests including the special green tropical forest

- IUCN has said the park has the most diverse species in Vietnam and has high biodiversity compared to heritage sites worldwide

- This is the second time the Vietnamese park has received UNESCO recognition

- The landscape of the park is formed by limestone plateaux and tropical forests

- It has a large number of caves and underground rivers

- It has high level of biodiversity and is home to many endemic species

- Limestone landscapes of this park are unique

- The special characteristic of this national park are its karsts that are millions of years old, and said to be most valuable in Southeast Asia.

- With its historical and cultural relics, the park is home to 2934 species of flora and fauna

Facts and Stats

- The first time in 2003, the park was recognised by UNESCO for its geological and geomorphologic values

- Since 2012, the area of the park increased from 85,754 ha to 123,326 ha

- The site shares a boundary with the Hin Namno Nature Reserve in the People's Democratic Republic of Laos.