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

These teams inspect potential hazards within forested areas throughout the reserve, but it
seems that fire is no longer a major problem of forest destruction since the extirpation of
the majority of gold miners (who often caused accidental fires) from the main body of
forest.
The final issue facing the conservation of floral species and communities within Kim
Hy’s main body of limestone forest is that of the collection of non-timber forest products,
the nature of which are indicated in section 3.4.3 of this chapter, and is particularly
noticeable with regard to ornamental species of the Orchidaceae. This activity is also well
established here, especially with villagers from An Tinh commune, who may travel
several kilometres through the forest for this purpose. However, whether due to falling
demand or to tighter controls, the practise has apparently become less common in the last
two years (Pham Duc Tien, pers. comm.). Once again, this activity is one which is
difficult to monitor without greater protection staff resources, due to its small scale and
occurrence within deep forest. Collectors of non-timber forest products do, however, tend
to use established paths for access, meaning it may be possible to regulate relatively
easily in the future if such resources are allocated.
3.6 Conclusions
Although some of the more dramatic threats to the medium limestone forest at Kim Hy
proposed Nature Reserve such as clearance for cultivation and disturbance associated
with gold mining have in more recent years been reduced in their severity and intensity,
these threats remain at significant enough levels as to be of continuing concern to the
forest management authorities, especially where it is felt that the activities cannot be
monitored effectively, or where (as in many cases) they are more a result of difficult
socio-economic realities than of recreation or profit-seeking enterprise. This point is of
special note for the future management board of the Nature reserve if it is to include areas
in Cao Son and Vu Muon communes, where despite important tracts of medium
limestone forest area being present, there is conversely a higher traditional dependence
upon forest products and hill cultivation by local village populations. There are some
incidences of gold mining here also, but not on the scale of Kim Hy, An Tinh or Con
Minh communes. At present, Bach Thong district does not have the funds or
infrastructure in place to address many of these issues, which may exacerbate the
problem more rapidly in these areas. Consistent dialogue between the civil administration
and financial bodies as well as the forest protection departments of both Na Ri and Bach
Thong districts is needed in order to manage the conservation and rehabilitation measures
pertaining to the limestone forest area. The establishment of a Nature Reserve covering
this area will provide both an incentive and, through its management board, a forum for
such communication so that integrated management can be implemented.
The botanical diversity of the forest of the Kim Hy area so far lends the most argument
for a Nature Reserve to be established here, and FIPI and Frontier surveys, imply both the
existence of significant communities of species which have both economic and
conservation value, and a high potential for regeneration and rehabilitation of degraded
forest and scrub areas through integrated economic and conservation-orientated schemes.
Frontier Vietnam Forest Research Programme Technical Report No.24. 41