Improved conservation and public awareness of biodiversity of Ta Kou Nature Reserve

This project continues previous efforts of the Centre for Biodiversity and Development to conserve the endangered species and remnant coastal forests of Ta Kou Nature Reserve in the coastal region of southern central of Vietnam that are under severe human impact for economic development. Tourism is fast-growing (parts of the reserve have been given to tourism development) and high-pressure: 200.000 tourists visit the reserve for religious reasons, with all negative effects and without payment for the reserve. The reserve is well known as a source of high-quality medicinal plants and other forest products. Using conventional methods in inventorying forest structure, diversity of plants and animals (mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians) and human impacts, the project is aimed to provide a first-ever systematic profile of biodiversity (flora and fauna) and socio-economy of the reserve as an important location for conservation. Training courses are offered to improve the capacity/knowledge of staff of Ta Kou NR in biodiversity conservation and community development. The project initiates environmental awareness campaigns by setting up green clubs in secondary schools and by providing visual deliveries to the public. Different stakeholders, including local communities, are promoted to participate in establishing a conservation action plan for the reserve based on assessments of conservation needs and socio-economic needs of forest dependent households. Results generated by this project will provide not only a basis for action plans of biodiversity conservation, landscape rehabilitation, and economic development but also a sound call for more effective support by responsible authorities and conservation organizations to protect the bioresources of the reserve.