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WWF Greater Mekong Programme
Introduction

The WWF, or the World-Wide Fund for Nature, is an environmental organization that strives to create or maintain a healthy environment throughout the world. More specifically, the WWF Greater Mekong Programme focuses on the countries of Cambodia, Laos, Thailand, and Vietnam. The Greater Mekong region has some of the most endangered and scientifically significant species in the world. These species face the threats of illegal wildlife trade, infrastructural development and habitat loss. Because these threats could ultimately result in the loss of these species, the Greater Mekong Programme has developed offices in these countries and created various projects in attempt to help minimize this threat.

Background Information

WWF is one of the world’s largest and most respected independent conservation organizations. It was formerly known as the World Wildlife Fund; however, as the organization grew, the name was changed to the World-Wide Fund for Nature because it expanded its work to the conservation of the environment as a whole instead of just wildlife. Since 1985, WWF has invested over one billion dollars in more than 12,000 conservation projects. The overall goal of WWF is to stop the accelerating degradation of Earth’s natural environment, and to help its human inhabitants live in greater harmony with nature.

Accomplishments

So far the Greater Mekong Programme has completed a few of its goals for the project. They have first and foremost raised awareness about the ecosystems surrounding the Mekong River and how vital and crucial it has been to the discovery of so many new species of plants, animals, and insects. Second, the program has successfully introduced new strategies for farming and harvesting crops in the areas around the river in order to eliminate runoff and to benefit both the farmers and the environment. They have also increased the amount of trading both local and international, that the surrounding communities have done which has in turn increased the amount of wealth and harvesting ability that those small communities have. With the successful launch of the Rattan Program, the Greater Mekong Programme has begun to protect the vital forests that are home to the many new species that have been discovered there in the past decade.

Goals

The WWF’s work and the Mekong Programme currently focus on the Greater Annamites, Dry Forests, and most importantly, the Mekong River itself. The Greater Mekong Programme is attempting to preserve areas that have lead to over one hundred different new types of species in the last decade alone. It is also an effort to develop the businesses and communities in the nearby regions so that once the program is complete they can continue to maintain the surrounding environments for further exploration and discovery. It is also an attempt at increasing and benefitting the local economies.

Contact Information ''' WWF Greater Mekong  39 Xuan Dieu Street  Tay Ho District'''  IPO Box 151'''  Hanoi, Vietnam  Tel: +844 37193111  Fax: +844 37193102'''

Source: http://www.panda.org/what_we_do/where_we_work/greatermekong/