English 2.28MB - Center for International Forestry Research

4.1. Previous conservation activities
Government of Vietnam (GoV) policies have affected the forest-related activities
of Khe Tran village. Prior to 1992, the upland forest, one of the last remaining
patches of lowland evergreen forest including and adjacent to Khe Tran, was
considered a ‘productive forest’ and managed by logging companies under the
Department of Forestry at the province level. Then in 1992 this site, ‘dominated by
a ridge of low mountains, which extends south-east from the Annamite mountains
and forms the border between Quang Tri and Thua Thien Hue provinces’, was
recognised for its ‘important role in protecting downstream water supplies and
reducing flooding in the lowlands of Thua Thien Hue province’ and designated as
a ‘watershed protection forest’, a status it still has (Le Trong Trai et al. 2001).
In 1998, international bird conservation groups focused attention on the site
after rediscovery of Edward’s Pheasant (Lophura edwardsi) in these hills, a fowl
thought extinct. Today the site is part of a government forest strategy to create a
system of 2 million ha of special use forest (national parks, nature reserves and
historical sites) throughout the country and it is listed as one of the sites destined
to become a nature reserve (41,548 ha) in 2010 (Barney 2005).
Local forests around Khe Tran are one of the key biodiversity areas of the
province, since many rare and endangered species of plants and animals can be
found there. Le Trong Trai et al. (2001) report that significant numbers of endemic
and nonendemic plants, mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and butterflies are
found in Phong Dien forests including Khe Tran. Endangered tiger, Panthera
tigris, was confirmed to be present in this area. Muoc, who belongs to the Pahy
ethnic group from Khe Tran, reported that in March 1998 he observed a tiger of
approximately 100 kg at 200 meters from his village. He also reported that in May
1998 a tiger preyed on one of his buffalo in the Moi valley (16°27’N 107°15’E).
He further noticed that, judging by the footprints, two adults and one cub were
present. Villagers also reported during our survey the regular presence of some
of the globally threatened green peafowl (Pavo muticus), although these reports
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. Conservation context in Khe Tran