Environmental protection: Needs awareness in every individual

Many young Vietnamese invite me to eat forest . It is not wrong but everyone who likes to eat forest will harm nature! Wildlife protection needs to come from each individual's consciousness . TS Jane Goodall talks to VietNamNet reporter .

- She is a famous person in the field of wildlife protection, has devoted her life to the protection of wildlife, she can tell based on her research and personal experience, Why do we have to strengthen wildlife protection? How urgent is that problem today?

Dr. Jane Goodall: The more we strive to protect wildlife, the more we preserve the ecosystem around us and a life system. On the other hand, every different animal needs a different habitat, wildlife in the current situation needs to be protected because their habitats are shrunk by themselves, their dangers. a large part is also caused by people themselves.

Dr. Jane Goodall (Photo: V. Giang)

- Before coming to Vietnam, did you find out about the situation of protecting wildlife in Vietnam? If so, can you tell me some of your thoughts? How can Vietnam and many other developing countries participate in protecting wildlife?

I have read in the newspaper before coming to Vietnam and know that some rare animals here are becoming extinct. People hunted precious animals sold across the Chinese border to make medicine and get feathers to serve their needs. Coming here, witnessing bear hands, bear feet, precious snakes, precious animals all go to alcohol, to me this is very desirable.

Participating in the protection of wildlife, first of all need to wake up the awareness from each individual. From that consciousness will raise a higher level than a sense of community. Protecting wildlife is a part of protecting nature, preserving our own environment and community.

- We know that she is actively involved in the so-called 'Animal rights activism' and she is also the president of Advocates for Animals in order to against the use of animals for purposes such as medical research, sports (entertainment) . this is a fairly new issue in Vietnam . Can you tell us more about these? This activity of her?

My main activities are working with young people, making young people understand how rare animals are being hunted. Because many people are unaware of why they like to wear fur coats, why do they like to eat turtle meat, bear meat .

Many Vietnamese young people invited me to eat, they treated me with wild meat dishes. That's nothing wrong, but indeed, if everyone likes it, it harms nature.

I myself do not eat forest because I cannot eat, but I often encourage young people to eat less meat. Let's love animals. Feeding animals is difficult but killing them is easy. And especially there are animals with emotional psychological lives that are very close to humans like chimpanzees, we need to protect them. The use of animals for any purpose (whether serving community life or scientific progress) is worth condemning because it is contrary to nature to be protective and close, to develop them.

- And here is also a question because it is unclear how we can balance the problems of exploiting natural resources with economic development, as well as ensuring income for a residential part?

This is a difficult question because I do not understand Vietnam well. However, as far as I know, Vietnam has developed a number of projects for people in forests with animals that need conservation, aiming to protect the natural environment and wildlife.

Dr. Jane Goodall at Cu Chi Wildlife Rescue Center - HCMC (Photo: WAR)

One side is destroying nature and then our next generation will have nothing more. Later children may no longer see tigers, bears in the forest, but can only see them in books, in movies.

On one side is the exploitation of nature to improve the poor life of people living near forests where animals need to be preserved.

Do we mention the economic balance? In fact it is a rational, for the benefit of a minority group. We need to think further .

- What are your goals for this trip to Vietnam?

I came to Vietnam this time at the invitation of the organization Wildlife at risk. And can only stay here for 2 days. Much of this time, I met Vietnamese students, students and young people. They made a good impression on me. They pay attention to what I say about protecting nature. They also put many tough questions for me. I realize that Vietnamese youth are also aware of the importance of nature impacting on life.

In the 2 days here, I also noticed that Vietnamese young people also love animals. It is very important for the education of young people. I do not do much for young people in addition to giving them passion, excitement and hope into a beautiful natural environment. And this is also my responsibility.

I found some Vietnamese associates on this trip. In particular, see the common points of consciousness and affection for wild animals among young Vietnamese. Your awareness and purpose is very similar to my goal of Roots & Shoots (the program of protecting the environment and wildlife for young people, with more than 1000 youth groups of nearly 100 participating countries. ). I will also return to Vietnam with a new project.

Vinh Giang (Implementation)