Under the "roof" of Yok Don

Việt Nam•12/11/2023

08:33, 12/11/2023

As the rainy season draws to a close, the Yok Don forest appears lush and vibrant. Along the roads leading into the core of this vast national park, many patches of forest are undergoing true regeneration, with dry dipterocarp forests interspersed with semi-evergreen tropical forests.

It can be said that the ecosystem under the "roof" of Yok Don is gradually recovering completely, making up for the areas that were damaged by the deforestation that occurred over the past many years.

The forest has returned to peace.

According to Ms. Hoang Thi Hanh, a legal officer at Yok Don National Park, the forest here is like a body that is becoming healthier and stronger thanks to the increased focus on protection and management. Yok Don forest has returned to peace thanks to the controlled and limited "forest destruction," which is reduced year after year.

While in previous years (2010-2020) the number of forestry law violations reached hundreds, it has decreased significantly in recent years. For example, in 2022, the number of forestry law violations detected and handled by forest rangers was nearly 70, but in the first 10 months of 2023, this number had already been halved. As a result, compared to previous years, the pressure on the forests here has gradually eased.

Being friendly with elephants in Yok Don National Park. Photo: M. Thuan

Mr. Pham Trung Kien, Head of Forest Ranger Station No. 6, shared: The pressure on the forest is no longer as intense as before thanks to the increasingly improved living standards of people in the buffer zone; agricultural, forestry, service, and tourism projects invested in Buon Don by the State and businesses have created livelihoods for many poor families, so they limit their reliance on the forest for survival.

In addition, efforts to raise awareness and encourage local people to take on forest protection contracts have been strengthened, both in terms of understanding and the area of land assigned to them. To date, more than 3,200 hectares of forest have been managed and protected quite effectively by people and communities in the communes of Ea Huar, Ea Wen, and Krong Na; thanks to this, the Yok Don forest is gradually establishing its own ownership and is rapidly recovering.

Now, the park's forest rangers are less stressed and less in conflict with "forest-eating forces" from outside, thus having the opportunity to patrol and protect the valuable forest resources of this national park alongside the forest owners. Especially in the core areas, covering tens of thousands of hectares and possessing rich biodiversity (with over 1,000 plant species and nearly 660 animal species), the Yok Don forest protection force is stationed day and night to minimize negative impacts.

Preserve forests for tourism development.

Mr. Vu Duc Gioi, Deputy Director of Yok Don National Park, observed: "Only when the forest is peaceful can tourism develop - and in reality, this is becoming increasingly evident here."

Yok Don, the "roof of the mountains," is attracting hundreds of tourists each month thanks to its unique and advantageous tourism products, such as: interacting with domesticated elephants; taking motorboat tours to admire the natural scenery along the Serepok River; exploring wildlife by off-road vehicle; camping in the wild and staying overnight…

These types of tourism are being perfected, becoming increasingly comprehensive, sustainable, and effective in meeting tourists' need to "reconnect with nature," while also enhancing experiential feelings and increasing the length of stay at these destinations.

The Yok Don Discovery Trail Run, organized by Yok Don National Park, attracts a large number of tourists who come to experience and admire the forest trails. Photo: Hong Ha

Furthermore, at the Yok Don forest protection stations/posts, staff and forest rangers also participate in tourism based on the forest resources there, contributing to the diversification of products for this important economic sector.

According to Mr. Doan Chi Linh, Deputy Head of Forest Ranger Station No. 2: "When tourists come here, they are also taken fishing and to admire wild orchids along the Cay Lang spillway, and then enjoy a feast of food prepared from the abundant natural resources (fish, shrimp, crabs, and various wild vegetables). At Forest Ranger Station No. 6, tourists can enjoy a more complete and meaningful cultural and ecological tour."

According to Mr. Pham Trung Kien, in addition to the above activities, visitors will have the opportunity to learn about the life and culture of the Ede people in Drang Phok village, go boating on Suoi Hong irrigation lake, have a campfire, and enjoy grilled meat (chicken, pork, goat, and even beef) raised by the station's staff.

It can be said that, under the "roof" of Yok Don National Park today, anyone who comes here can feel the peace of nature and people that is clearly evident. This very peace is the condition and opportunity for this national park to preserve and develop its valuable forest resources to a level commensurate with its economic, social, cultural, and scientific value in Dak Lak in particular and the whole country in general.

Dinh Doi

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