Western Nghe An Biosphere Reserve forest area increases by 105,000 hectares

The Western Nghe An Biosphere Reserve has seen significant ecological growth, with forest area increasing by more than 105,000 hectares compared to the 2017 assessment period. According to a decision by the Nghe An Provincial People's Committee, the total forested area in the reserve has reached over 967,045 hectares, accounting for 99.15% of the total forest land in Nghe An province.

Natural forest coverage within the reserve stands at approximately 780,010 hectares, representing 98.7% of the province's natural forests. The reserve's land use includes 165,345 hectares of special-use forests—comprising Pu Mat National Park, Pu Huong Nature Reserve, and Pu Hoat Nature Reserve—alongside protection forests and production forests. Vegetation cover has increased from 66.3% to 69.07%.

Biodiversity data indicates a significant rise in recorded species, with 1,473 animal species currently identified, an increase of 531 species. While some mammal and bird counts showed slight decreases, there was a notable increase in fish species and a substantial addition of 602 insect species. To improve management efficiency, the administrative structure of the reserve was streamlined in July 2025 to cover 65 communes.