The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) earlier this week recognized a natural reserve in the Central Highlands of Viet Nam as a new World Biosphere Reserve.

The recognition of Lang Biang natural reserve, located near Da Lat, was announced at the 27^th Session of UNESCO's Man and the Biosphere Program International Coordinating Council on Tuesday, bringing the total number of recognized biosphere reserve sites in Viet Nam to nine.

The reserve is named after the mountain which is located inside it. The name of the mountain, situated around 12 kilometers from Da Lat, takes root from a romantic story between Lang and Biang, two people of the K 'Ho minority group which has resided there for centuries.

Lang Biang Natural Reserve. (Source: vietnamnet.vn)

Lang Biang Biosphere Reserve, covering a total area of about 275,440 hectares, hosts rich biodiversity including many threatened species, UNESCO said in a press release after the recognition.

The area retains the typical value of biodiversity, diverse natural landscapes blended with the unique culture of the region, including the gong culture, recognized as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2005.

The newly recognized biosphere reserve includes one large primeval forest area with a core zone in Bidoup-Nui Ba National Park, which is rated as one of four centers of biodiversity in Viet Nam.

Local and international scientists noted this area is home to 153 species in the Viet Nam Red Book and 154 species listed on the Red List of the Switzerland-based International Union for the Conservation of Nature.

The core area will create a biodiversity corridor, maintaining the integrity of 14 tropical ecosystems and the habitat of many species of wildlife, UNESCO said.

(Source: Tuoitrenews)