Thua Thien-Hue enhances animal protection in nature reserves hinh anh 1The central province of Thua Thien-Hue has decided to establish a biodiversity corridor connecting the saola reserve with the Phong Dien Natural Reserve (Source: WWF)

Thua Thien-Hue (VNA) –
The central province of Thua Thien-Hue has decided to establish a biodiversity corridor connecting the saola (an endangered bovine, scientifically known as pseudoryx nghetinhensis) reserve with the Phong Dien Natural Reserve.

The project looks to improve the quality of the local ecological system and maintain the current forest coverage of 83 percent in the biodiversity corridor, as well as protect the natural landscapes and habitats of native creatures.

The biodiversity corridor also seeks to protect various animals aside from the saola, including the red-shanked douc (pygathrix nemaeus), the northern white-cheeked gibbon (nomascus leucogenys), and the pygmy slow loris (nycticebus pygmaeus), and more.

The project also aims to raise public awareness of biodiversity protection and forest development, especially amongst forest owners. Its results are hoped to contribute to new policies on biodiversity corridor management and rational use of  natural resources, as well as the potential of local ecosystems.

In addition, it will improve livelihoods to increase incomes for local residents through the implementation of forest protection, poverty reduction, and rural agriculture activities.

Thua Thien-Hue province has also expanded the saola reserve to nearly 15,520ha and linked it with other saola centres in Quang Nam, Bach Ma National Park in Thua Thien-Hue, and Laos’ Xe Sap National Protected Area – altogether creating a large and united forest system in the region.

The province’s saola reserve, with an area of primary forest in central Truong Son, is also home to more than 1,200 fauna and flora species, including many rare ones. –VNA

VNA