Wild grass preservation project enters finals

24/04/2008 -- 5:52 PM

Kien Giang (VNA) – A project to preserve a wetland wild grass in Mekong delta Kien Giang province has entered the final round for the United Nations-backed Equator Prize in biodiversity conservation. The Bang grass (Lepierola arpiculata) preservation project was one of 25 finalists selected from 300 projects from 70 ‘equator’ countries, that is they lie between 23.5 degrees of latitude north and south of the equator. Commencing in 2004 with funding from the International Crane Association, the project to develop, harvest and utilise a strain of wild grass for making handicraft products has helped triple the locals’ income. The Equator Prize, initiated by the UN Development Programme (UNDP) in 2002, is an international recognisation of the community-based efforts to diminish poverty through the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity. It serves to boost sustainable economy development, accomplishment of millennium development goals (MDGs) and utilisation of biological resources. This year’s 25 finalists included services ranging from ecotourism and community-based fishery cooperatives to crocodile-egg harvesting and sustainable eco-agriculture. The projects demonstrate the increasing global recognition of the strong link between poverty and the natural environment. Specifically, that biodiversity conservation helps to alleviate poverty by nurturing and protecting diverse ecosystems, and using natural resources for sustainable economic and health benefits for locals. The 25 finalists will each receive 5,000 USD bonuses and five will be selected for a special prize and 15,000 USD bonuses. The awarded projects will have their products demonstrated in Spain in October.-Enditem
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