Co-management in Cu Lao Dung (6th negotiation meeting)

Time: 9:00 – 11:15 Date: 03.04.2013
Place: An Thanh Nam Commune People’s Committee, Cu Lao Dung District

The meeting started with a review of the last discussion. Printed A4 illustrated maps of the newly developed zones were distributed to everyone. Last week, future zones of the co-management mangrove forest in the co-management area were identified, including 1 protection zone, 2 sustainable use zones and 1 rehabilitation zone outside the forest.

The first task of this meeting was to identify membership of the co-management group, who can enter the zones. People agreed that it is necessary to have membership cards, uniform T-shirts and hats. Examples from co-management groups in Mo O, Tran De and Au Tho B, Vinh Chau were explained to people for reference. For Vo Thanh Van co-management group in Cu Lao Dung, it was agreed that:

- Full membership will apply for people from 16 years on.

- There would be no membership card for children under the age of 16 years as they usually go together with parents to the mangrove forest.

- There would be 2 types of cards: the red cards for members of the special team who are authorised to go into the protection zone for patrolling and the yellow cards for normal group members.

- The picture would include a picture of the card owner (wearing uniform). People will provide us with pictures and sub-group leaders will ensure name is written on the back of each picture.

- The chosen colour for both T-shirts (polo shirt with pocket) and hats (with brim and string) is dark blue. People suggested that it would be good if they can have 2 T-shirts for each person.

The second task of this meeting was to identify how to deal with outsiders/illegal activities. It was agreed that whenever illegal activities are detected, people would call their group leader or other members in the red team (the authorised team for patrolling in the protection zone). Then the red team will come to the site as well as report to either Kiểm Lâm (KL, forest rangers) if the activities are within the responsibility of KL (activities related to the forest), or to the head of the commune in case of other illegal activities. When receiving report from the red team, KL or head of the commune should assign staff to come to the site as soon as possible (no later than 2 hours, due to sometimes difficult access to the site, especially during the rainy season).