It covers 1,303,285ha in nine western districts in Nghe An, including a core zone of 191,922ha, buffer zone of 503,270ha and transitional zone of 608,903ha with a population of 473,822 comprised of more than 10 ethnic groups. The reserve connects three core zones – Pu Mat National Park, Pu Hoat Natural Reserve and Pu Huong Natural Reserve, which together create a corridor for the preservation of the natural environment and bio diversity. The reserve is also home to a wide variety of fauna and flora in combination with cultural, ethnic and human identities. More than 80 percent of the untouched forests in the biosphere reserve are virgin trees and are where many species of rare and specious fauna and flora have been recorded in Vietnam and World Red Books. This is also the home of ethnic groups such as Kinh, Thai, Dan Lai, Kho Mu, O Du and H’Mong. Ho Duc Phoc, the chairman of the Nghe An Province People’s committee, said that that UNESCO recognition of the area as a world-class biosphere reserve has made local people happy but has also created challenges for local authorities and people, regarding proper…