Conserving Values of Biodiversity on Dong Van Karst Plateau Global Geopark

 

Membership in the Global Geoparks Network (GGN) has opened up a big opportunity for socio-economic and tourism development for Dong Van Karst Plateau - Ha Giang in particular and Vietnam northern region in general.

 

Along with its unique geology, culture and history, Dong Van Karst Plateau also has very great biodiversity. Recently, research institutes and several international and domestic expert groups have investigated, surveyed Dong Van Karst Plateau, including the Institute of Geology, Archaeology, Ecology and Biological Resources, National Institute of Livestock, Institute of Medicinal Materials, and Institute of Agricultural Sciences.

 

There are many survey programmes, many test models such as hanging lakes, irrigation works; surveys of soil, climate, limestone, vegetable crops, medicinal plants, food, vegetables, breeding cattle, poultry for serving the life of community and serving ecotourism. The biodiversity of the park not only provides livelihood for the people, but is also the source of many traditions, good customs and practices of ethnic minority communities in the Geopark: Conservation and development of genetic resources of rare and precious plant of karst ecosystem in the Thai Phin Tung, Dong Van district, Ha Giang province, code VN/06/011- funded by UNDP GEF SGP, implemented in 2003 -2009 and chaired by the Centre for Biodiversity and Biosecurity. (Project has discovered 17 species of rare plants, modelling Collecting Garden, Nursery garden, Household Gardens in Thai Phin Tung commune, Dong Van district, and has created more than 20,000 rare and precious seedlings for farmers planting in the places that they previously lived.)

 

Through surveys and research, it has conserved and developed rare and precious genetic resources at risk of extinction in order to protect the karst ecosystem: northern red pine (Taxus chinensis L. subsp), Brown stripe conifer chestnut (Amentotaxus Hatuyenensis), Short leave bamboo pine (Podocarpus Pilgeri), Keteleeria davidiana, Cupressus funebris, Fallopia multiflora, Seven leaves with one flower tree, stone white lily (Lilium brownii F.E.Br.ExMill.var. viridulum Baker). Especially supplement to the flora of Vietnam is Chinese Red Pine (Pinus tabuliformis) the ancient northern red pine, which maybe the biggest pine in the North at the Bat Dai Son Natural Conservation area (Quang Ba District). The Gymnosperm research group of Institute of Ecology and Biological Resources has discovered Tsuga chinensis Pritz.ex Diels, Taxus chinensis L. subsp, Short leave bamboo pine (Podocarpus Pilgeri), Golden Bach Tree (Xanthocyparis vietnamensis) in Bat Dai Son, Sinh Lung and Ho Quang Phin (Dong Van), Sung Tra commune (Meo Vac) that are new species for the flora of Vietnam and the world. Dong Van Karst Plateau Global Geopark also has varied fauna such as populations of chamois (Naemorhedus sumatraensis) and Tibetan Bear (Ursus thibetanus) in Bat Dai Son Natural Conservation area.

Through the initial statistic, it was discovered in the Du Gia Nature Reserve Region 52 species of mammals, 82 species of birds, 18 species of reptiles, 14 species of amphibians. The rare species of fauna are up to 22 species. In particular, it has a population of snub-nosed monkey (Rhinopithecus avanculus) which is extremely rare and should be conserved. Fauna in four districts of Ha Giang Karst Plateau Global Geopark have mixed nature of tropical, subtropical and temperate fauna. The fauna commonly found include species: tibetan bear (Ursus thibetanus), Leopard, bear cat (Bassaricyon neblina), pheasant, babbler as well as Simias monkey, many species of bats and Serow and so on. There are also many rare and precious fish species such as Bong Fish (Spinibarbus denticulatus), Dam xanh Fish (S. lemassoni), Anh Vu Fish (Semilabeo obscurus) in the river basins of the Mien River, the Nhiem River, the Nho Que River.

 

Many species, which have been exploited in Dong Van Geopark, are endangered or threatened at Critically Endangered Level, much endangered level or vulnerable level in danger of extinction. Therefore, the development of conservation planning on Dong Van Geopark is necessary. There are also plans to develop useful species to serve the community's socio-economic development of upland ethnic groups of Ha Giang and the whole country for the present and future.

 

Planning biodiversity conservation to protect natural ecosystems, protect habitat for conservation of endangered extinction species, rare and precious species having economic, scientific significance should be given priority in Dong Van Geopark Natural conservation area, special ecosystem area, relic area of landscape, history and culture, including in situ conservation and ex situ conservation with threatened extinction groups.

 

Developing unique genetic resources having economic, scientific values, based on the science of Agricultural Extension, Forestry Extension, the scientific and technical services, vocational education, community education to conserve and develop biodiversity of unique genetic resources for serving socio-economic development and eco-tourism. Planning focus conservation, investigating and inheriting documentation of biodiversity, ecological environment on the native, rare and precious genetic resources. Building models of biodiversity conservation from small to large scale for locally breeding animals and plants having high economic value, scientific value, indigenous, rare and precious genetic resources. Develop an action plan on biodiversity management methods, using species conservation, conservation of ecosystems and sustainable development of wild fauna and flora. Study individual relationships with population ecology in order to keep the balance of natural ecology and species that having economic, scientific significance, indigenous species are threatened with extinction. Recovering, breeding for conserving and developing individual species. Study predicted environmental impacts, climate change and propose solutions to adapt in order to preserve ecosystems, biodiversity conservation. Drafting technical document on biodiversity, test models, investigative reports to share results, benefits derived from the conservation of rare and precious species of wild fauna and flora. To spread, communicate and visit the test models, incubators, places of breeding animal. Withdraw experience of success or failure in order to replicate successful models. Attend seminars in Vietnam and the International with review report, biodiversity conservation planning, enclosed with appendices and element map, zoning map and biodiversity planning in Dong Van Geopark.

 

Conservation and Development of Biodiversity in Dong Van Karst Plateau Global Geopark have a meaningful strategy for socio-economic development. It would be easy to attract scientists and tourists at home and abroad if we conserve ecosystems, biodiversity, Geological heritage, caves, customs and practices as well as culture, history at present and future; deploy investment planning for the construction of thematic Parks: Geo-Science Park, Geo-ecology Park in Dong Van Karst Plateau Global Geopark, according to the Decision of the Prime Minister 310/QD-TTG.