Under the plan, the province will protectfour existing nature reserves namely the 6,311ha Copia in Thuan Chaudistrict, the 18,020ha Sop Cop Forest in Sop Cop and Song Madistricts, the 16,553ha Ta Xua Forest in Bac Yen district, and the18,116ha Xuan Nha Forest in Van Ho district.
It will alsobuild a new reserve on an area of 20,000ha in Muong La district and a247ha culture-tourism-environment preservation zone in Phu Yen district.
The Muong La forest boasts its high biodiversitywith many endangered species, notably black gibbons that are now onlyfound in Vietnam and China, Phayre’s langur, rufous-neckedhornbill and Asian golden cat. They are under threat mainly due toincreasing deforestation and illegal hunting.
Son Lais now home to nearly 634,000 of forest, including 610,000ha of naturalforest. The province expects to increase its forest coverage to 55percent (779,600ha) by 2020.-VNA