CAT TIEN NATIONAL PARK
( Projects VN0016 and VN0022 )
at Tien National Park in southern Vietnam's Dong Nai
and Lam Dong provinces is considered one of the world's "biodiversity
hotspots". The 80,000ha park supports a rich array of animal
and plant life, some species of which are endemic to southern
Vietnam. It has some 400 plant species including 170 medicinal
herbs and 59 orchids. It also houses some 120 species of birds
including two endemic and eight globallythreatened ones,
22 reptile species, 14 amphibians, and at least 62 species of
mammals.
|
Cat Tien's bestknown resident mammal is probably the Javan
rhino. The park is one of two places in the world where Javan
rhino populations still survive. The other is Ujung Kulon National
Park in West Java, Indonesia. Together they hold a total Javan
rhino population of less than 100, making the species the world's
most endangered large mammal.
|
|
The survival of the species in southern Vietnam despite the ravages
of war is proof of its resilience. In 1991 and 1993, WWF supported
field surveys in Cat Loc, a reserve within Cat Tien, and found
evidence of a small population of 812 Javan rhinos. Most
encouraging were signs indicating the presence of at least two
young rhino calves, suggesting that the small population was still
breeding. Following these findings, the team of scientists from
WWF, the Ministry of Forestry, and Ujung Kulon National Park prepared
plans for the immediate protection of the species, poaching being
the most serious threat to its continued survival. These plans
included setting up guard posts, doubling the number of protection
staff, and initiating public awareness campaigns.
Besides rhino surveys, WWF also supported a survey in 1993 to
assess the elephant population in Cat Tien. The park is probably
one of the few places in Vietnam where a viable elephant population
is likely to survive. The survey recommended several steps for
protecting the park.
Data collected from these surveys has been useful in preparing
a management plan for Cat Tien. The plan, approved in 1994, includes
an integrated conservation and development programme aimed at
reducing the adverse human impact on Cat Tien's forests. A year
later the Dutch government approved funding of US$6.3 million
for the fiveyear programme which will introduce nondestructive
livelihood schemes for the 30,000 people living in the park and
surrounding buffer zones.
Back to the previous page
|
|