Unique natural potentials and sustainable development solutions for Dam Rong district when merging with Lam Dong province

Da Long hot spring

On November 17, 2004, the Government issued Decree (No. 189/2004/ND-CP) on the establishment of Dam Rong district. The administrative boundaries are based on the separation of 5 communes: Lieng S'Rông, Da Rsal, Phi Lieng, Da K'Nang, Ro Men (belonging to Lam Ha district) and 3 communes: Da M'Rông, Da Tong, Da Long (belonging to Lac Duong district). After 20 years of formation and development, currently according to the plan to merge with Lam Dong province, Dam Rong district is arranged with commune-level administrative units (ADUs) including:

(1) Dam Rong 1 commune on the basis of arranging 2 commune-level administrative units, including Phi Lieng commune and Da K'Nang commune of Dam Rong district at present; has a natural area of 172.55 ^km2 , population of 17,265 people; (2) Dam Rong 2 commune on the basis of arranging 2 commune-level administrative units, including Ro Men commune and Lieng S'Rông commune of Dam Rong district at present, has a natural area of 365.58 ^km2, population of 16,253 people; (3) Dam Rong 3 commune on the basis of arranging 2 commune-level administrative units, including Da Rsal commune and Da M'Rông commune of Dam Rong district at present, has a natural area of 139.38 ^km2 , population of 15,841 people; (4) Dam Rong 4 commune is based on the arrangement of 3 commune-level administrative units, including Da Tong and Da Long communes of Dam Rong district and Dung K'No commune of Lac Duong district, with a natural area of 391.25 km2 ^and a population of 17,184 people.

Dam Rong District is famous for its majestic natural landscape, cool climate and rich ecosystem. This is a place that possesses abundant and unique natural resources, especially forests, hot springs and water resources. The sustainable exploitation and management of these resources not only contributes to economic development but also protects the environment, society and local culture in the future.

Careta arborea tree

Rich forest resources with high biodiversity:

Dam Rong district has a forest area of 66,909 hectares, accounting for more than 75% of the natural area, including primary forests and regenerated forests. The main trees are pine, precious woods such as rosewood, ironwood, especially endemic plants (flat-leaf pine - Ducampopinus kremfii), sesame - Careta arborea. The forest ecosystem here is very diverse, providing habitat for many animal species, from common to rare. Forests play an important role not only in improving air quality but also in regulating water resources and maintaining soil moisture in the region, being the basin of large rivers and contributing an important part to the forest ecosystem of Lang Biang World Biosphere Reserve. Forests also contribute to flood control, preventing soil erosion, and are a valuable source of wood and medicinal herbs for the people. Moreover, forests also create natural landscapes that attract tourists, contributing to local economic development.

Daana Hot Springs

Unique hot water resources right in the forest:

Nature has given Dam Rong district a priceless gift of many hot springs. Hot springs in Dam Rong are very rich in geographical location, terrain and heat. In Da Long commune, there is Da Long hot spring, this is the hot spring that has been exploited and used by people for the longest time. Here, people have built a large tank with a diameter of about 4 m, a height of about 1.2 m, currently used by the community.

Daana Hot Spring in Da Tong Commune, part of the Eco-tourism project, combined with resort, hot water swimming pool. The project manages more than 100 hectares of natural forest with high biodiversity, many rare plants, especially this place owns a rare forest tree endemic to Australia and India, but also appears here, that is Careta arborea (Kumbhi tree - India, sesame tree - Vietnam). The project has built villas with ancient architecture, has a reception room and a convenient restaurant; the hot water bath system is designed with many pools of different sizes, following the terrain, built from natural stones very scientifically, blending with nature right in the natural forest, invested by Tien Loi Construction and Transport Company Limited.

Hot spring 3 in sub-area 36, Da Tong commune is still very wild, built by Father Nguyen Van Gioan, parish priest of Da Tong parish into a large tank with a diameter of about 4 m, height of about 1.2 m since 2016. At this location, visitors can not only explore the hot spring but also admire the natural phenomenon of a banyan tree - Ficus microcarpa L. hugging a purple-flowered tree - Lagerstroemia speciosa Pers over 200 years old, reminding them of many mysteries in everyday life. All hot spring sources in Dam Rong have temperatures from 44°C to 46°C, containing many minerals that are beneficial to human health. This is a valuable resource that can be exploited for tourism purposes and health care for the community and visitors.

Hot springs not only provide therapeutic benefits but also have great potential for ecotourism development. Tourists can come here to relax, heal and experience local culture.

The banyan tree hugs the over 200 year old Lagerstroemia tree tightly.

Abundant water resources:

Dam Rong has a rich river system such as Da M'Rong River, Krong No River; there are many streams and waterfalls such as: cool stream in village 2 - Ro Men; Tinh Tang waterfall in Cil Muck village - Da Tong; Bay Tang waterfall, Phi Lieng; Lieng Srong waterfall...; Krong No 2 and 3 hydroelectric lakes have large lakes in the natural forest ecosystem with beautiful landscapes. This water source is extremely important for the people here and serves hydroelectricity; especially ensuring harmony in adapting to global climate change. Another special point is that Dam Rong is the land between Me mountain and Cha river (water sources from Chu Yang Sin mountain and Lang Biang mountain both flow into Krong No river - Cha river, meeting in Dam Rong). Nature has bestowed a stream of water between Me mountain and Cha river, creating a unique cultural legend of the Dam Rong people.

Fundamental challenges to private resources

Forest exploitation and challenges: Forest encroachment must be carried out in a controlled manner. For many years, illegal logging and deforestation have been common for agricultural production due to high coffee prices, leading to a decline in forest quality and biodiversity. This not only causes the risk of ecological imbalance but also directly affects the livelihoods of local people.

Challenges in hot spring management: Despite its great potential, hot springs in Dam Rong have not been fully and effectively exploited. The lack of infrastructure for tourism and unsynchronized management are two factors that hinder the development of tourism from exploiting hot springs. Challenges in water resources management: Water sources in Dam Rong are under pressure from unreasonable exploitation, pollution from agricultural production activities and people's daily life flowing from streams. Drought and water shortage in the dry season are also major concerns for the locality. The lack of an effective water management system has led to waste and pollution of water resources, due to the phenomenon of erosion of agricultural land causing sedimentation of the lake bed. Tourism projects have not been attracted to exploit tourism projects on the lake.

Sustainable development solutions in the future

In order to effectively exploit the unique resources of Dam Rong district after the merger in the future in a sustainable manner, it is necessary to implement the following basic solutions:

Raising public awareness: It is necessary to urgently have highly feasible solutions to implement Resolution No. 405/NQ-HDND of the Provincial People's Council on approving the policy of rearranging administrative units of Lam Dong province, Binh Thuan province and Dak Nong province into a new province named Lam Dong province.

Education and awareness raising about the importance of forests, hot springs and water resources is the first step in protecting the unique and rare resources of Dam Rong. Propaganda and education programs can be organized in the community not only to raise awareness but also to encourage people to participate in environmental protection activities. How to spread the message for everyone to start the journey of protecting and developing natural resources in a sustainable way so that Dam Rong is not only a land of potential but also a symbol of harmony between people and nature.

Developing ecotourism and sports tourism: It is necessary to develop sustainable ecotourism programs, encourage the use of local products and create tours that combine cultural and ecological exploration. Promote the uniqueness of each to develop ecotourism, discovery tourism, sports tourism, cultural tourism, attract tourism projects on the lake, develop a community tourism project at Da Long hot spring, attract ecotourism projects or community tourism projects at hot spring 3 in sub-area 36, Da Tong commune. Tien Loi Construction and Transport Company Limited continues to invest in the remaining items to ensure the convenience of providing diverse services for tourists. Attract golf course projects according to the plan to exploit the potential of regional connectivity.

Infrastructure construction: Upgrading and expanding key traffic routes: National Highway 27, Provincial Road 722, routes to areas and points expected to develop tourism. Connecting tourism routes outside the region inside and outside the province: Da Lat city is the center and Lac Duong, Duc Trong, Dam Rong, Lam Ha districts with the Central Highlands provinces. Provincial Road 722 completion will create a breakthrough in regional connectivity between Lam Dong province and Dak Lak province, which will create a boost for the socio-economic development of Dam Rong in general and tourism in particular in the future.

Human resource training: Organize training courses for local people on tourism service skills, from tour guides to community tourism service staff to ensure service quality.

Water resources management: To ensure that water resources are used sustainably, local authorities need to build an effective water management system to minimize water pollution.

Forest management and protection: Strengthen forest management and protection, sustainably increase the value of forest products, while protecting biodiversity, focusing on afforestation, and resolutely and thoroughly overcoming the exploitation of forests for agriculture around lakes and streams.

Forest resources, hot springs and water resources of Dam Rong district are unique and rare gifts of nature, but they come with many challenges. The sustainable development of these resources does not only depend on recklessness and one-sided efforts but also requires close cooperation between authorities at all levels, communities and related organizations. By raising public awareness, developing ecotourism, managing water resources properly, exploiting the potential of forests and enhancing cooperation, Dam Rong can reach the level of sustainable development, protecting valuable resources for future generations.

Source: https://baolamdong.vn/xa-hoi/202505/nhung-tiem-nang-thien-nhien-rieng-co-va-cac-giai-phap-phat-trien-ben-vung-huyen-dam-rong-khi-sap-nhap-tinh-lam-dong-dab35e5/