Vietnam's struggle with its degrading biodiversity was the topconcern expressed by experts at a recent meeting commemoratingInternational Day for Biological Diversity at Botanical Garden, Hanoi.

Everyyear some 3,700 to 4,500 wild animals are killed for consumption,decoration, medicinal purposes, as well as for domestication.

Theoverexploitation of marine resources has put 80 percent of thecountry's coral reefs at risk of extinction, while destructive methodsfollowed by the fisheries industry threaten the country's marineecosystem.

From 2010 to 2014, almost 15,000 cases were registeredfor violation of the country's forest protection laws and regulations,according to statistics from the Department of Biological Diversityunder the Vietnam Environment Administration (VEA).

Meanwhile, 25alien species were sighted in the country. Of these, 15 were consideredharmful to ecosystem, with the most noted case being the golden applesnails that cause the destruction of rice fields in Vietnam, costing thecountry millions of dollars every year.

Deputy Head of the VEANguyen The Dong said that with over 10 percent of the world's speciesfound here, Vietnam's ecosystem has been recognised as one that has hugebiodiversity.

Dong noted that preserving the country's ecosystem has been a priority for the Government of Vietnam.

TheVEA has called for greater cooperation among local authorities andsupport from the public to put a stop to wild animal trafficking andtake measures to preserve Vietnam's biodiversity.-VNA