VIETNAM: Database of species and habitats leads the way in conservation

Cuc Phuong National Park in the northern province of Ninh Binh, 90km south of Ha Noi, is leading the country in this regard. It has marked off a 100 ha botanical garden for around 100 wood trunk species of 52 families unique to the Cuc Phuong forests. Biological research and experiments, especially on rare species, have been conducted to find out the best ways to preserve and multiply these species.
The park is conducting an experiment in which spotted deer will be raised and then released into the forests. In addition, an almost-completed database of the local biological system, as well as the typical habitats for each species, has been created.

The Ba Vi National Park, close to Ha Noi, has been conducting a survey of its plant and insect families, establishing a 170 ha botanic garden 800 m above sea level, and working on two scientific projects – one on the Cypress tree and the other focusing on the high-hill botanic system.

Similar efforts have been made by a number of other parks such as the Bach Ma park in the central province of Thua Thien-Hue, Nam Cat Tien and Yokdon parks in the central highlands provinces of Lam Dong and Dac Lac, Tam Dao park in the northern midland province of Vinh Phu, and the Huu Lien Nature Reserve in the northern mountainous province of Lang Son.

However, 25 of Vietnam’s 71 nature reserves and national parks are too small, (covering less than 10,000 ha of forest land each), to support long-term conservation schemes. The Ministry of Agriculture

and Rural Development and the relevant localities are considering a plan to expand these areas in order to better protect and develop wildlife, said the sources.