Kim Hy Proposed Nature Reserve - Frontier-publications.co.uk

ABSTRACT
This report describes a biodiversity survey of Kim Hy proposed Nature Reserve
22º10.40’’-22º18.20’’N / 105º54.25’’-106º18.40’’E), Na Ri district, Bac Kan province,
Vietnam, conducted as part of the Frontier-Vietnam Forest Research Programme,
between the months of June and December 2001.
The Frontier-Vietnam survey involved studies of the extent and condition of forest types
within the proposed Nature Reserve; collection of baseline biodiversity and ecological
data on butterflies, moths, amphibians as well as birds and mammals; and a socioeconomic
survey of local communities. The aim of this work was to provide information
regarding the biodiversity value of the site and threats posed to these values, to assist the
development of conservation management within the proposed Nature Reserve.
Kim Hy proposed Nature Reserve covers 18,555 hectares and protects an ecosystem,
forest on limestone, which falls within the Northern Indochina Subtropical Forest
ecoregion. The area contains over 6,179 inhabitants belonging to the Kinh, Dao, Tay and
Nung ethnic groups. The majority of these are settled in the fring and buffer area of the
proposed Nature Reserve, with some small communities also located in the main forest
block. Agriculture provides the principal source of income for the majority of the
resident population. However, productivity is low and local communities are heavily
dependent upon the natural resources of the proposed Nature Reserve.
Currently, the Nature Reserve is one of only two sites known to contain the Chinese
Forest Musk deer (Birdlife International, 2001), which is endangered in Vietnam (RDB,
2000). The findings of this survey imply that the proposed Nature Reserve is host to a
high diversity plant species. At least 23 species of mammal, 67 bird species (possibly
much more) and 93 butterfly species, as well as numerous moth species. Aside from its
biological value, Kim Hy proposed Nature Reserve possesses economic value, which is
particularly important to local communities. For the inhabitants of the area, the forest
provides an essential source of building materials, fuel, food, medicine and income. It
also plays an important role in local watershed protection, directly affecting the lives of
local people for whom water availability influences agricultural productivity. In addition,
the proposed Nature Reserve also possesses several assets, including great scenic beauty
and cultural diversity that provide it with potential as a destination for ecotourism. This
is strengthened by the Reserve’s close proximity to Hanoi.
Unfortunately however, much of the natural environment of the proposed Nature Reserve
has been affected by human activity. Forest clearance and logging for settlements and
agriculture has led to a dramatic reduction in forest cover in non-limestone outlying
areas, and the limestone forest block risks fragmentation in a number of areas, primarily
due to upland hill cultivation expansion and the effects of illicit gold mining activities.
Frontier Vietnam Forest Research Programme Technical Report No.24. 9