Rangers and local people in charge of protecting the Kon Ka Kinh National Park (Photo: VNA) But as the plateau spans acrossmore than 413,500 hectares, it's no easy task.
For nearly two decades, Chui ofMang Yang District has been safeguarding his allocated land in Kon Ka KinhNational Park.
Joining forces with theofficers since 2004, he is one of the local ethnic people assigned to protectdifferent parts of the forest, and receive compensation for their work.
However, the large area andlimited human resources mean patrols are often difficult, even dangerous.
Chui said: “Due to thetreacherous terrain and steep hills, it is difficult to move around here. Therehave been days where our motorbikes broke down and we could only haul themback.
“The weather here is also quiteharsh, especially during rainy seasons, so patrols are not easy.”
The Kon Ha Nung Plateau, whichreceived UNESCO recognition in September last year, consists of the57,589-hectare Kon Ka Kinh National Park and Kon Chu Rang Nature Reserve, plusthe 152,009-hectare buffer zone, and the 206,211-hectare transition zone.
The biosphere reserve is hometo a rich and diverse array of fauna and flora, including several endangeredspecies and rare plants of high economic value – often a target of aggressivepoachers.
Chief ranger Tran Van Thu added:“Due to the modest number of people in charge of a vast area, our managementcapacity is quite limited, and supporting tools are also minimal.”
All of that means poachers havenothing to fear, he said. Hard work coupled with modest compensation also failsto attract more people to join the forces.
Gung, a Bahnar ethnic who isalso in charge of protecting an area in the forest, added: “Protecting theforest is protecting our life.
“It is fighting against climatechange, as well as raising people’s awareness against causing harm to theforest and wildlife in this area.”
Nguyen Hong Quan, deputy director of Kon ChuRang Nature Reserve said: “We plan to collaborate with the Ministry of Health,and HCM City Institute of Drug Quality Control, to preserve and develop severalspecial medicinal plants in the Kon Chu Rang Reserve.”
Meanwhile, various organisations andindividuals have been mobilised to invest in ecotourism. These are a few of theapproaches that aim to improve the compensation for the staff at the reserve,and the community's livelihood.
As one of the two core zones, Kon Ka KinhNational Park has been actively promoting its unique values in biodiversity andpreservation, as well as the unique culture of different ethnic groups in thearea.
The plateau’s UNESCO recognition in Septemberis seen as a major opportunity to develop ecotourism and economic modelstowards green growth, which is expected to turn the area into an attractivedestination in the future.
According to the deputy chairman of Gia LaiPeople’s Committee Kpa Thuyen, the goal is to create a sustainablesocio-economic development model in the area.
They also aim to form a harmoniousconnection between the local biodiversity and the ethnic culturalidentities, and between economic development and environmental protection.
Nguyen Van Hoan, Deputy Director of the GiaLai Department of Agriculture and Rural Development said: “Gia Lai Provinceneeds to develop plans and activities, in order to form a framework forcollaboration and management – in terms of sustainable preservation andmanagement at the biosphere reserve.
“The province must also mobilise and approachinternational and national resources to realise projects, programmes andactivities related to sustainability in this area.”
It is crucial to raise people’s awareness, toeducate and encourage preservation and development, he added./.
VNA
