Relentless efforts to protect Kon Hà Nừng biosphere reserve
Inside the UNESCO-recognised biosphere reserve, rangers are still working hard to protect its rich resources.
But as the plateau spans across more than 413,500 hectares, it’s no easy task.
For nearly two decades, ChÆ°i of Mang Yang District has been safeguarding his allocated land in Kon Ka Kinh National Park.
Joining forces with the officers since 2004, he is one of the local ethnic people assigned to protect different parts of the forest, and receive compensation for their work.
However, the large area and limited human resources mean patrols are often difficult, even dangerous.
ChÆ°i said: “Due to the treacherous terrain and steep hills, it is difficult to move around here. There have been days where our motorbikes broke down and we could only haul them back.
“The weather here is also quite harsh, especially during rainy seasons, so patrols are not easy.”
The Kon Hà Nừng Plateau, which received UNESCO recognition in September last year, consists of the 57,589-hectare Kon Ka Kinh National Park and Kon ChÆ° Răng Nature Reserve, plus the 152,009-hectare buffer zone, and the 206,211-hectare transition zone.
The biosphere reserve is home to a rich and diverse array of fauna and flora, including several endangered species and rare plants of high economic value – often a target of aggressive poachers.
Chief ranger Trần Văn Thụ added: “Due to the modest number of people in charge of a vast area, our management capacity is quite limited, and supporting tools are also minimal.”
All of that means poachers have nothing to fear, he said. Hard work coupled with modest compensation also fails to attract more people to join the forces.
Gung, a Bahnar ethnic who is also in charge of protecting an area in the forest, added: “Protecting the forest is protecting our life.
“It is fighting against climate change, as well as raising people’s awareness against causing harm to the forest and wildlife in this area.”
Acknowledging the problems, authorities have been introducing new initiatives to improve the situation.
Nguyá»…n Hồng Quân, deputy director of Kon ChÆ° Rang Nature Reserve said: “We plan to collaborate with the Ministry of Health, and HCM City Institute of Drug Quality Control, to preserve and develop several special medicinal plants in the Kon ChÆ° Răng Reserve.” Read More…
