Vietnam Primate Conservation Status Review 2002 - Hoang Lien ...

Vietnam Primate Conservation Status Review Part 2: LEAF MONKEYS
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3.4.6.2 Recommendations for some special areas
Cuc Phuong National Park (NINH BINH, HOA BINH, THANH HOA)
Pu Luong Nature Reserve (THANH HOA)
Ngoc Son Nature Reserve (HOA BINH)
Nui Boi Yao mountainous area (Lac Son District, HOA BINH, Ba Thuoc District, THANH HOA)
Thach Tuong mountainous area (Thach Thanh District, THANH HOA)
These five areas mentioned above are involved in a planned GEF-project on limestone protection.
Within this framework a protection programme for the Delacour’s langur should be developed.
Hoa Lu Cultural and Site (Hoa Lu and Tam Diep Districts, NINH BINH)
The protected area is a popular place for bird hunting and orchid collection. These activities should
be stopped to reduce the impact on the forest. The famous tourist place should be used to educate
people about the need to protect forest resources and not as a market place to purchase animals and
plants collected in a protected area.
Van Long Nature Reserve (NINH BINH)
Van Long Nature Reserve is one of the most important areas for the future existence of the species, as it is
home to the largest sub-population. Therefore, special attention must be given to its protection. There is an
interest by local authorities and the commune to develop the tourism potential of the area, with small boat
trips along the dammed stream by the steep limestone outcrops where it is possible to watch the langurs in
the early morning. It is a pleasant activity for tourists and could be beneficial for the animals as well.
Thus, efforts should be made to improve the direct protection of the species, and all hunting must be
stopped. However, it is also necessary to improve habitat protection, to stop the intensive fuelwood
cutting and limestone quarrying and drastically reduce the number of domestic goats. The number of
domestic goats in this area is far too high in terms of ecological sustainability. Currently there are
about 1,800-2,000 goats grazing in the area. They destroy a considerable amount of vegetation and
compete with the langurs for food sources. The resulting disturbance through permanent human
presence is also very significant.
For the long term survival of this sub-population it would also be important to create a connection to
Hang Tranh Mountain and the Gia Vien limestone area which are inhabited by other sub-populations
of Delacour’s langurs. The connection could be created by reforesting a corridor with trees which the
Delacour’s langur feeds on. Van Long and Hang Tranh are connected by a dam across a lake. Hang
Tranh and the Gia Vien limestone area (Ba Chon Mountain) are separated by a small road and an
eucalyptus plantation which the Delacour’s langurs avoid crossing. According to locals, animals
were crossing between the two areas before the road was upgraded and before there was a plantation.
Huong Son Mountain, My Duc District (HA TAY), Lac Thuy District (HOA BINH)
The protected area as a cultural and historical site with the Perfume Pagoda is one of the most
famoust tourist places in Northern Vietnam, receiving tens of thousands of tourists every year. The
demand for wildlife meat is very high. Wildlife restaurants should be strictly controlled and an education
/ awareness campaign against wildlife consumption and for nature conservation promoted.
Ngoc Son mountainous area, Lac Son and Tan Lac Districts (HOA BINH)
In the past, this area, which includes a proposed nature reserve, was quite remote. With the recently
constructed new road there is now much better access, and higher levels of human impact - including
hunting - can be expected. Local authorities should be called upon to support the protection activities