Abstract:
The Red River Delta Biosphere Reserve has been recognized as model of sustainable
development since 1989 when Xuan Thuy Ramsar Site was founded. However, a number of
studies have showed issues of “unsustainable development” such as water pollution, overuse of
agrochemicals (VEPF, 2005), mangrove deforestation (Beland et al. 2006), poverty
differentiation in the area (EJF, 2003). This has raised a question of whether the biosphere
reserve actually fulfills the requirement of being a model for sustainable regional development.
The objectives of this study, therefore, are to define the sustainability of a biosphere reserve and
construct a conceptual framework to select indicators for sustainability. I used keywords to
search and collect documents that answer two questions: what are the definitions of sustainable
development and how one can evaluate it. I mainly used the approach proposed by Annette
Schmidt (2004) to review literature. I selected mangrove reforestation to examine efforts of
biodiversity conservation; and agriculture and aquaculture to analyze use of natural resources.
Analysis shows that conflicting planning of mangrove reforestation, sea dike construction and
the expansion of aquaculture has been the main factors that lead to inefficient replanting of
mangroves. However, mangrove reforestation has played important role in enhancing awareness
of local people on wetland resources. The main issues of agriculture are salinity intrusion,
overuse of agrochemicals, and conflicts with aquaculture owners. Water pollution, low
productivity, and poverty differentiation are major issues of sustainable development of
aquaculture. These issues will be used to develop criteria for sustainability of the biosphere
reserve.
