The Biodiversity of Bac Huong Hoa Nature Reserve - Birdlife ...

intense hunting activity is likely to lead to significant reductions in the populations of hunted
species, as it has in other protected areas in Vietnam. Incidental trapping of species such as
Edwards’s Pheasant will continue even when they have very low population sizes, because
trapping is indiscriminate and setting traps for commoner species such as Silver Pheasant
Lophura nycthemera will still be economically viable (BirdLife International 2001).
Logging
The forests of BHH NR were selectively logged after 1975 and some selective logging continues
in BHH NR. For instance, in November 2007 three groups of men from Quang Binh Province
stayed for one month in Cup village to log timber and sell it to villagers and people from outside
the area. Selective logging is likely to continue to pose a significant threat to the continued
existence of some species which require large trees for nesting (e.g. Austen’s Brown Hornbill), or
feeding (e.g. Red-collared Woodpecker). Additionally, logging roads constructed along rivers
have caused considerable damage to riparian vegetation.
Gold mining
Deep pits in the forest, particularly to the north and west of Cuoi village, are clear evidence of
gold mining activities (Le Manh Hung et al. 2002 and 2004). Chemical washing of the soil to
extract the gold has led to severe contamination in the streams in this area (Le Manh Hung et al.
in prep.). Additionally, gold miners hunt animals with guns and snares, leading to local
population declines of many species, particularly large and obvious mammals.
Rattan exploitation
Rattan collection has been intense in the forests around Cuoi village between 2000 and 2005 (Le
Manh Hung et al. in prep.). Since then rattan supplies have been exhausted and rattan collection
has declined. Rattan collectors usually also set snares in the area in which they are operating, to
provide meat for food. This extra pressure on terrestrial animal populations is likely to have
caused them to decline.
Fragrant oil extraction
A few species of Cinnamomum tree produce fragrant oil with many commercial uses. This oil
commands a high price and is therefore extracted from trees in the forest by well organised
groups. Oil is found in all woody parts of the trees but the highest concentrations are in the roots.
Consequently, the entire tree is felled, typically using a chainsaw and the roots are dug up. The
woody parts are distilled in large pots which require constant heating. In similar locations, up to
20 medium-sized trees have been felled daily to feed the fires which heat the pot and teams have
operated in the same area for up to one month (Eames et al. 1994). In BHH NR, most fragrant oil
extraction now takes place in remote forested areas, such as east of Cuoi village (Le Manh Hung
et al. in prep.). Groups of up to thirty people originating from Quang Binh and Ha Tinh provinces
have been recorded in BHH NR collecting fragrant oil. The felling of trees for fuel and hunting to
feed the large teams required for this activity are likely to be significantly negatively affecting the
biological integrity of BHH NR.
Iron collection
The forests of the Central Annamites still contain a large quantity of iron from the American
War. The opening of the Ho Chi Minh Highway has facilitated the easy transport of iron to Khe
San. Many young people from the villages in the nature reserve, particularly from villages along
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