A bright spot in elephant habitat conservation and biodiversity in Quang Nam

The Quang Nam Elephant Species and Habitat Conservation Area (KBT) is the first elephant species and habitat conservation area established in the country, which is of special importance to conserve the remaining elephant population in Quang Nam and protect the habitat of other animal and plant species in the context that many animal and plant species in the world as well as in Vietnam are facing the threat of extinction, natural forests are increasingly shrinking, affecting the habitat of wild animals.

In 2017, the Quang Nam Elephant Species and Habitat Reserve recorded 7 wild elephants. In early 2020, the elephant herd at the reserve gave birth to 1 baby elephant, increasing the total number of individuals in the herd from 7 to 8. This is a positive signal for the conservation of Asian elephants in Quang Nam in particular and the whole country in general.

Image of wild elephant recorded at Quang Nam Elephant Species and Habitat Conservation Area.

In addition to the elephant herd, the KBT is also home to many other rare animals. Currently, the KBT records 586 species of vascular plants belonging to 349 genera, 111 families of 4 phyla, of which 47 species are listed in the Red Book of Vietnam and the world ; 68 species are endemic to Vietnam. Animals include 32 species of mammals, 174 species of birds, 38 species of reptiles, 31 species of amphibians. Many of these species are internationally and nationally recognized as highly endangered and of high importance in need of protection.

Mr. Mai Van Duong, Director of the Elephant Species and Habitat Management Board, said that the reserve is made up of four forest ecosystems: tropical humid evergreen broadleaf forest ecosystem; subtropical evergreen broadleaf forest ecosystem; open forest ecosystem (elephant habitat); and seasonal migratory bird ecosystem. Of which, the elephant habitat covers an area of ​​10,814 hectares and is of particularly important value.

Over the past years, with support from many sources, including funding from the Quang Nam Forest Protection and Development Fund, the Quang Nam Elephant Species and Habitat Conservation Area Management Board has effectively implemented all aspects of work, protecting and developing sustainable forests in parallel with biodiversity conservation and elephant habitat conservation in assigned forest areas.

Notably, regarding habitat conservation, every year the Management Board makes plans for forest management, protection, and biodiversity conservation in the entire forest area. Every month, the stations and forest management and protection posts make plans based on the actual situation and characteristics of each habitat. For elephant habitat, in addition to forest management and protection, there is also the development of green fences of soapberry trees to keep the habitat boundary intact and minimize conflicts between elephants and humans.

In addition, forces under the Quang Nam Elephant Species and Habitat Conservation Area Management Board also organize monthly forest patrols and inspections; apply high technology (flycam) in the process of patrolling, monitoring forest developments and tracking elephant herds; apply various forms of propaganda to people in the buffer zone and assign forest protection contracts to households to raise people's understanding, responsibility and duties in conservation; closely monitor people entering and leaving the forest, set up checkpoints at key locations to control people entering and leaving the forest.

Up to now, the Management Board of the Nature Reserve has provided support to the buffer zone according to the Sustainable Forestry Development Program; built models and solutions for developing ecotourism associated with wild elephant conservation, specifically, built a project for ecotourism, resort, and entertainment for the Elephant Species and Habitat Reserve for the period 2025-2030 and was approved by the People's Committee of Quang Nam province.

The Elephant Species and Habitat Conservation Area was established under Decision No. 2090/QD-UBND dated June 9, 2017 of the People's Committee of Quang Nam province with the goal of conserving elephants and their habitats as well as biodiversity values ​​in the region, with a total forest area of ​​more than 18,977 hectares located on the administrative boundaries of two communes, Phuoc Ninh and Que Lam, Que Son district.

Source: https://cand.com.vn/doi-song/diem-sang-trong-bao-ton-sinh-canh-voi-va-da-dang-bi-hoc-tai-quang-nam-i769600/