Construction of Muong La - Ta Xua Biosphere Reserve

Forest rangers of Ta Xua Special Use Forest Management Board inspect the current status of special use forests.

Rich natural potential

Biosphere reserves are a model initiated by UNESCO's Man and the Biosphere Programme (MAB), aiming to promote harmony between humans and nature. Currently, Vietnam has 11 recognized biosphere reserves, typically Cat Tien, Cat Ba, Can Gio, Tay Nghe An , Cu Lao Cham...

Muong La Nature Reserve and Ta Xua Special-Use Forest both have high, steep and strongly divided mountainous terrain, especially in Ta Xua with many mountain peaks over 2,000m. This is where famous landmarks are formed such as: "Ta Xua Cloud Paradise", "Dinosaur's Back", Ta Xua grassland, Ca Heo cape, U Bo peak in Ta Xua commune; mineral spring services, waterfall and cave experiences, homestay stays in Ngoc Chien commune; homestays in Ta Xua Ecolodge, May Home, Happy Hill...; along with the majestic stream and waterfall system are attractive destinations, attracting tourists who love to explore and love adventure travel .

People of Hang Dong village, Ta Xua commune clean up the vegetation.

Regarding the ecosystem, the Ta Xua area has five types of vegetation distributed according to altitude, from humid tropical forests below 700m, to cold temperate forests above 2,400m. The whole area "owns" 782 plant species, of which 123 are rare species listed in the Vietnam Red Book and the Government's conservation decrees. The fauna is also very rich with 60 species of mammals, 215 species of birds (31 rare species), 35 species of reptiles and 28 species of amphibians. Along with that, Muong La Nature Reserve also has a very diverse ecosystem, with 1,015 species of plants, of which 79 are rare species, along with 76 species of mammals, 191 species of birds, 57 species of reptiles, 37 species of amphibians and 265 species of insects. The vegetation here is distributed in three ecological belts: Tropical, subtropical and temperate, with interspersed agricultural lands.

Mr. Nguyen Huy Tuan, Head of the Provincial Forest Protection Department, informed: Son La province owns a particularly valuable biodiversity corridor, stretching from Muong La Nature Reserve to Ta Xua Special-use Forest. The implementation of the plan by the Provincial People's Committee will comprehensively assess the potential of natural, ecological, cultural, economic and social conditions of the biodiversity corridor area from Muong La Nature Reserve to Ta Xua Special-use Forest.

According to the plan, the scope of the survey area extends from Muong La Nature Reserve to Ta Xua Special Use Forest with a total area of about 190,000 hectares. The implementation area spans 12 communes: Chieng Lao, Ngoc Chien, Muong La, Chieng Hoa, Xim Vang, Pac Nga, Ta Xua, Bac Yen, Suoi To, Phu Yen, Gia Phu, Muong Coi (boundary along the watershed line adjacent to Yen Bai province to the Da River).

Efforts to be recognized as a biosphere reserve

Implementing the assigned plan, currently, relevant local departments and branches, especially the Department of Agriculture and Environment, directly the Provincial Forest Protection Department, are focusing on implementing many tasks, such as: Organizing the investigation and assessment of biodiversity in the biodiversity protection corridor area in the communes: Ngoc Chien, Chieng Cong, Chieng An - old Muong La district and Hang Chu commune, old Bac Yen district according to Decision No. 381/QD-SNNMT dated April 24, 2025 of the Provincial Department of Agriculture and Environment, thereby creating a basis for scientific evidence to serve biodiversity conservation work, building a report to assess the potential for nature conservation and biodiversity in the proposed area.

Focus on surveying the routes of the locations to evaluate the Trekking and Hiking tourism products. Develop regulations for forest protection management, biodiversity conservation, and environmental protection on Trekking and Hiking routes. Develop specialized reports to evaluate the potential of the proposed area to establish and recognize the Biosphere Reserve in the biodiversity corridor area from Muong La Nature Reserve to Ta Xua Special-use Forest.

Staff of Muong La Nature Reserve Management Board patrol the forest.

Organize the Provincial People's Committee Conference to develop specialized reports and specialized seminars; work with Associations (Tourism Association, Business Association, Provincial Union of Science Associations, etc.), organize Provincial Science Seminars to seek opinions from provincial agencies, relevant ministries and branches, Associations and experts, scientists to evaluate the legal and scientific basis, propose the basis, conditions, and criteria to propose the establishment and recognition of the Biosphere Reserve belonging to the biodiversity corridor area from Muong La Nature Reserve to Ta Xua Special-use Forest.

Based on the comments of central ministries, branches, local departments, branches, experts and scientists after the Provincial Scientific Workshop (if the criteria for establishing and recognizing the biosphere reserve are met), complete the report and submit it to the Provincial Party Committee to ask for the opinion of the Provincial Party Standing Committee and the Provincial Party Standing Committee for the policy of building a dossier to nominate the biosphere reserve in the biodiversity corridor area from Muong La Nature Reserve to Ta Xua Special-use Forest...

Primary forest in Ta Xua Special-use Forest. Photo: PV

To carry out the assigned tasks, currently, relevant departments, branches and localities are focusing on assessing the potentials in the proposed area to establish and recognize the Biosphere Reserve in the biodiversity corridor from Muong La Nature Reserve to Ta Xua Special-use Forest, such as: Biodiversity potential; socio-economic; eco-tourism, community tourism; community culture and indigenous knowledge; terrain - geomorphology and landscape...

Mr. Tran Dung Tien, Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture and Environment, said: Biosphere reserves are a solution to conserve biodiversity, which is also the foundation for developing a green economy, enhancing livelihoods, stabilizing life and preserving culture for the people. Currently, relevant departments, branches and localities are urgently implementing tasks according to the set plan; on that basis, determining the level of meeting UNESCO's world recognition criteria. The assessment results will be the scientific and practical basis for building a dossier to propose UNESCO to recognize the Biosphere Reserve in the biodiversity corridor area from Muong La Nature Reserve to Ta Xua Special-use Forest in Son La province in the period of 2026-2030.

The development and implementation of the plan and the recognition of the Muong La - Ta Xua Biosphere Reserve is an important step, helping Son La province to conserve natural resources, while creating connections with the international conservation network; creating favorable conditions for the development of tourism types, contributing to creating livelihoods for people to protect the forest better and better.

Source: https://baosonla.vn/nong-nghiep/xay-dung-khu-du-tru-sinh-quyen-muong-la-ta-xua-b7qziYiDR.html