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

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Section 5 - Management Recommendations
the nature reserve will cover only 3,000 ha. Two options are proposed for these areas, either:
(a) these areas will be protected and allowed to regenerate naturally into forest. The advantage of this
approach is that areas of scrub and grassland are scattered throughout the nature reserve, making
active rehabilitation difficult; or
(b) these areas will be rehabilitated to forest habitat by planting indigenous tree species such as Manglietia
spp., Erythrophleum fordii, Chukrasia tabularis, Fokienia hodginsii and Cunninghamia konishii.
Function of the Forest Rehabilitation Area. The purpose of the Forest Rehabilitation Area is to restore the
natural vegetation of areas which have been cleared and prevented from regenerating naturally by the activities of
humans. This will be achieved through either natural regeneration of the forest or planting of indigenous trees.
Activities which prevent forest regeneration are not permitted. The management regime for the Forest
Rehabilitation Area is shown in Table 21.
Table 21: Management Regime for the Forest Rehabilitation Area
Activity Impacts Management
Shifting cultivation Destruction of ecosystem, reduction of habitat Strictly prohibited
for wildlife species
Hunting and trapping Loss of animal species, decline in animal Strictly prohibited
populations
Mining Destruction of forest, pollution, loss of aquatic Strictly prohibited
species
Construction of roads, houses Creation of conditions for destruction of forest Strictly prohibited
and other infrastructure and over-exploitation of natural resources
Livestock grazing Disturbance to wildlife and ecology, prevention Strictly prohibited
of natural regeneration
Fire Destruction of forest, prevention of natural Strictly prohibited
regeneration
Planting of non-native tree Loss of habitat diversity and biodiversity Generally prohibited
species
Exploitation of non-timber Over-exploitation may result in loss of species Limited and regulated
forest products and habitat
Reforestation with indigenous Habitat expansion, maintenance of biodiversity, Encouraged
tree species
Protection of natural Forest rehabilitation and regeneration, habitat Encouraged
regeneration expansion
5.5 Buffer Zone
The core zone of Xuan Lien Nature Reserve will cover 23,610 ha, including the whole of Xuan Lien commune
and parts of five other communes Bat Mot, Yen Nhan, Xuan Khao, Xuan My and Van Xuan. The remaining
areas of these five communes, along with three other communes (Luong Son, Xuan Cam and Xuan Le) will form
a buffer zone. The total area of the buffer zone will be 53,556 ha.
According to the plan for Cua Dat dam, all the inhabitants of Xuan Lien commune will be relocated, and this
land will become part of Xuan Lien Nature Reserve. Socio-economic development projects for the buffer zone
will be developed in the future, following and separate from the investment project for Xuan Lien Nature
Reserve. Socio-economic development projects in the buffer zone will be managed by the local administration at
commune, district and provincial level. Future conservation projects for the nature reserve will be integrated
with community development projects for the buffer zone.