SMART

The Power of Data in Wildlife Conservation

A suite of spatial monitoring and reporting tools to enhance law enforcement, resource management, and evidence-based decision making.

Core Components of SMART

SMART combines software, hardware, and cloud services into a powerful ecosystem for collecting and analyzing field data.

SOFTWARE AND SERVICES

Includes SMART desktop software, SMART Mobile application, and SMART Connect cloud service for data synchronization.

HARDWARE DEVICES

Utilizes mobile devices like Smartphones, GPS, combined with computers, cameras, and other supporting devices.

DATA MODEL

Uses a standardized data structure to ensure consistency, making it easy to analyze and compare over time.

SMART in Numbers

Global scale, impact in Vietnam. See how data is shaping conservation.

+1100

Conservation Areas Globally

+100

Countries Adopting

45/53

Management Boards in Vietnam following National Process

50%

Adoption Target by 2025

Real-world Success Stories

From Vietnam to Bhutan and Bangladesh, SMART has proven its superior effectiveness in improving patrol work and protecting biodiversity.

Protecting Grey-shanked Douc Langurs at Kon Ka Kinh National Park

Vietnam

A study by Nguyen Ai Tam (2023) demonstrated that applying SMART helped forest rangers patrol more effectively and frequently in langur habitats, contributing to a reduction in environmental disturbances and the risk of poaching.

Increasing Patrol Effectiveness at Royal Manas National Park

Bhutan

Research by Wangmo (2021) shows that after adopting SMART, the average patrol distance increased by 10 times (from 69 km/month to 712 km/month), the number of arrests decreased, and the number of wildlife sightings steadily increased.

Protecting the Sundarbans Mangrove Forest

Bangladesh

A study by Paul (2020) indicates that SMART helped reduce the number of violations (from 578 to 477 cases), data was recorded more completely and accurately, and the number of wildlife sightings also increased significantly.

Challenges, Solutions & CTNC's Role

For SMART to be most effective, it requires synchronized investment in equipment, human capacity, and supportive policies. This is also the mission that CTNC is pursuing.

Main Limitations and Challenges

Finance & Policy: Dependency on short-term projects, lack of sustainable financial mechanisms and provincial policies for equipment procurement and maintenance.
Equipment & Technical: Lack of synchronized equipment (hard drives, dehumidifying cabinets), device errors, poor internet connectivity, and difficulty of use in rugged terrain.
People & Motivation: Shortage of dedicated personnel, reluctance to adopt new technology, fear of being “monitored,” and not seeing the direct benefits of data collection.

CTNC's Pioneering Role

With a leading team of SMART experts, CTNC has been and is:

Participating in building the national SMART data model.
Supporting training and deployment of SMART in dozens of National Parks, Nature Reserves, and protection forests across the country (Bu Gia Map, Cuc Phuong, Pu Luong National Parks…).
Collaborating with businesses to deploy SMART in sustainable forest management.

Recent Highlighted Activities

From April-August 2025, CTNC organized 03 in-depth SMART training courses for 67 officials in 3 key forest areas of Phu Yen province, contributing to local management and conservation capacity building.

ENHANCE CONSERVATION CAPACITY WITH CTNC

References

Kavhu, B., & Mpakairi, K. S. (2021). Spatial Monitoring and Reporting Tool (SMART) in Mid-Zambezi Valley, Zimbabwe…
Kuiper, T., et al. (2025). Unlocking the Value of Ranger-Based Monitoring for Biodiversity Conservation…
Nguyen, A. T., et al. (2023). The effectiveness of SMART software in patrolling and monitoring grey-shanked douc langurs…