Kon Ha Nung Plateau Biosphere Reserve covers an area of more than 400 thousand hectares, including the entire area of Kon Ka Kinh National Park, Kon Chu Rang Nature Reserve, and part of the following districts: Dak Doa, Mang Yang, Kbang, Chu Pah, Dak Po, and An Khe town.
The entire Biosphere Reserve is zoned into 3 functional areas including core, buffer and transition zones.
The core zone covers an area of more than 57 thousand hectares, including Kon Ka Kinh National Park and Kon Chu Rang Nature Reserve. The ecosystem here has high biodiversity, typical of the Central Highlands. Most of the core zone is a closed, green, subtropical humid forest with many endemic and rare species of flora and fauna.
In, Kon Ka Kinh National Park has about 1,754 species of higher plants, 91 species of lower plants; 87 species of mammals, 326 species of birds, 77 species of reptiles and many rare and endangered species. In particular, there are a number of newly discovered endemic species such as Kon Ka Kinh babbler, gray-shanked douc langur…
At Kon Chu Rang Nature Reserve, 863 species of plants have been identified, including 22 species in the Vietnam Red Book and 7 species in the World Red Book.
Regarding vertebrate wildlife, there are 380 species recorded; in which, 80 species of mammals, 228 species of birds, 38 species of reptiles, 34 species of amphibians. Currently, there are 64 vertebrate wildlife species on the list of species that need to be prioritized for conservation at national and international levels.
Among the globally threatened mammal species and 17 species listed in the Vietnam Red Book, in particular, there are 3 endemic mammal species to Indochina, namely the red-cheeked gibbon Hylobates gabriellae, the gray-shanked douc Pygathrix nemaeus cinereus and the gibbon Pygathrix nemaeus cinereus. Megamuntiacus vuquangensis (Anon. 1999)…
Mr. Trinh Viet Ty – Director of Kon Chu Rang Nature Reserve – information, Kon Ha Nung Plateau is classified as international A for biodiversity, has many rare and endangered animals and plants. need to be protected.
Notably, this plateau also has ancient geological formations over 2 million years old, many craters are still very clear and there are traces of people living thousands of years ago.
Kon Ha Nung plateau is recognized by UNESCO and marked as the 11th biosphere reserve of Vietnam in the world network of biosphere zones. This title is not only an honor but also a great opportunity and responsibility for Gia Lai province in building a model of sustainable development, harmoniously linking people and nature, and balancing conservation. biodiversity and livelihood development for ethnic minorities living in the buffer zone. This is especially important in efforts to recover and develop tourism after the Covid-19 pandemic.
With the most diverse and rich forest ecosystem of the Central Highlands region, the Central Highlands Biosphere Reserve is always at risk of being invaded by many factors. The forest protection force of Gia Lai province always has to “eat the forest, sleep in shacks”, on duty 24/7 to guard the green of the biosphere. When Gia Lai forests are recognized as the world biosphere, they have to “stretching” many times over to complete the task.
“The implementation of Decree No. 01 of the Government and Decision No. 80 of Gia Lai Provincial People’s Committee on the responsibilities and powers of forest rangers and forest protection forces have caused difficulties for forest management and protection. Accordingly, in the process of patrolling and detecting violations, we do not have the authority to handle the case in the area under our management. with forest robbers, were opposed and injured while on duty”, Mr. Vinh added.
The “hottest” forest fight is in the buffer zones of Dak Roong Forestry One Member Limited Liability Company and Tram Lap One Member Company Limited. The forests of these two units are mostly natural forests, surrounded to protect the outer perimeter of Kon Ka Kinh National Park and Kon Chu Rang Nature Reserve. Therefore, forest thieves always have many acts and tricks to invade and “cut up” the green forest.
Only in 2021, in the area of Kbang district, there were consecutive cases of loggers attacking and fighting against forest protection forces. The sweat and blood of the forest guard fell to protect the green color of the forest. Because of the harshness, difficulty and danger, in recent years, many employees, forest protection officers, and rangers have had to leave the industry.
If the authorities do not take timely action and support, the Kon Ha Nung Plateau Biosphere Reserve will always face the risk of encroachment, before the “stretch” protection of the functional forces.
When recognized as a world biosphere zone, functional sectors attach great importance to creating livelihoods for people living in the buffer zone in particular and the people in general. In recent years, the functional sector has proposed many solutions to generate revenue from forests. In particular, the policy of contracting forests to the community for protection has shown remarkable effects, changing the perception and thinking of ethnic minorities.
Currently, forest owners have contracted forests to communities living nearby to increase their forces to jointly protect forests. This has brought a huge source of revenue from forest environmental services for ethnic minorities.
Typically, Kon Ka Kinh National Park has contracted with nearly 18,000 hectares of forest to 26 groups of households belonging to 18 village communities in the buffer zone of Kon Ka Kinh National Park in three districts: Kbang, Mang Yang, Dak Doa. . Funding for forest environment services has supported people in forest protection work is more than 6 billion VND.
At the same time, forest owners have coordinated to call many organizations to support poor households, near-poor households, and policy families in forest protection groups with necessities, livestock and donate to the village rehabilitation works. common service in people’s lives. Since then, the community’s life has improved and people’s awareness has been raised.
Mr. Thuon (from Kon Nak village, Ha Dong commune, Gia Lai) confided: “We have 52 households who are participating in the protection of more than 1,400 hectares of forest for Kon Ka Kinh National Park. In addition, there are many other villages that protect Protecting forests for different forest owners. On average, we receive more than 300,000 VND per hectare of forest. This capital has helped the family to buy livestock and seedlings for economic development. At the same time, create jobs. for local unemployed workers . Many people who used to work in timber, clear forests for farming, now also participate in forest protection.”
Mr. Djung used to be a famous hunter in the village next to the Ayun River (Mang Yang district, Gia Lai). How many streams in the forest do Kon Ka Kinh have the footprints of Mr. Djung. In the past, he used to go to the forest with the villagers to hunt and cut wood to sell to raise four children during the famine season.
After being propagated and mobilized, Mr. Djung and a group of forest workers “put aside the saw” to join the forest protection group. Later, he was also a core member of the specialized contract force of Kon Ka Kinh National Park receiving the task of patrolling and protecting the forest.
“When they have a full stomach and have a stable job, they will not go to deforestation like before. Now they understand that the forest is extremely precious, so they must protect it. Once the forest is well protected, the flood will be avoided. people in the commune, besides growing wheat and growing rice, were all registered to patrol the forest. Seeing strangers entering to cut trees, the villagers immediately informed the forest protection officer.” Mr. Djung confided.
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Photo: Kon Ka Kinh National Park, Kon Chu Rang Conservation Area provided.