A Feasibility Study for the Establishment of Xuan Lien Nature ...

5. Management Recommendations
5.1 Management Objectives
The following management recommendations for Xuan Lien Nature Reserve are based upon an appraisal of the
biodiversity of the study area and an analysis of constraints on conservation.
The general management objectives should be to:
30
(a) completely preserve the biodiversity value of the nature reserve; and
(b) develop projects in the nature reserve and buffer zone, in order to encourage high levels of interest
and involvement in conservation amongst local people.
Specific objectives should include to:
(a) strictly protect existing areas of primary forest within the nature reserve;
(b) preserve populations of animal and plant species in the nature reserve together with their habitat,
with particular attention to nationally and globally threatened species that are vulnerable to overexploitation,
such as Fokienia hodginsii, Cunninghamia konishii, Tiger, Clouded Leopard, Gaur,
White-cheeked Gibbon, Great Hornbill and Brown Hornbill;
(c) protect the population of Roosevelt’s Muntjac which is currently under intense hunting pressure;
(d) maintain the ecological value and hydrological functions of the Chu and Cao Rivers, and protect
the catchment of Cua Dat dam;
(e) initiate and carry out a research and monitoring programme to ensure the long-term protection of
the natural values of the nature reserve;
(f) support development of infrastructure and technology in the buffer area to facilitate socio-economic
development with the aim of gradually reducing the dependence of local people on the natural
resources of the nature reserve; and
(g) conduct a programme to raise awareness amongst the local community of the value of the nature
reserve and to promote sustainable use of its resources.
5.2 Management Authority
Inclusion of Xuan Lien Nature Reserve in Vietnam’s network of Special-use Forests would necessitate transfer of
management responsibility to the Forest Protection Department (FPD) within MARD, which coordinates
protection of all Special-use Forests whilst all other areas are managed by provincial FPDs (MOF 1991a). However,
the management responsibility for and administration of nature reserves is undertaken, in most instances, at the
provincial level, and it is recommended that this should be the case for Xuan Lien Nature Reserve.
5.3 Proposed Boundary of Xuan Lien Nature Reserve
Option One
Beginning at Ta Leo peak (1,400 m) on the border with Nghe An province in the south-east of the nature
reserve, the boundary runs between the watersheds of the Hon Yen and Hon Han streams until the confluence
of the Chu and Cao Rivers. The boundary then continues north along the Cao River for 2.5 km, before heading
west along the mountain ridge which incorporates the summits of Bu Pha Rang (580 m), Hon Han (655 m), Bu