Lam Dong Establishes Ta Kou Nature Reserve

On October 15, Nguyen Ngoc Phuc, Vice Chairman of the Lam Dong Provincial People's Committee, signed Decision No. 5006/QD-UBND establishing the Ta Kou Nature Reserve.

The reserve covers 8,408 hectares across Ham Thuan Nam and Tan Thanh communes. Its area comprises 7,342.31 hectares of natural forest, 281.87 hectares of planted forest and 783.82 hectares of forestry land without forest cover.

The reserve is divided into three functional zones: a strict protection zone covering 2,994.34 hectares; an ecological restoration zone covering 3,953.91 hectares; and a service and administrative zone covering 1,459.75 hectares.

The establishment of the reserve aims to complete the legal framework, establish consistent boundaries and land areas, and ensure unified management of the special-use forest. It also seeks to protect and sustainably preserve the area's distinctive forest ecosystems, forest genetic resources and natural landscapes.

The reserve provides a legal basis for addressing longstanding issues in land management and use, while aligning nature conservation with the province's broader orientation toward green and sustainable development.

Protecting Forests While Supporting Local Livelihoods

Conservation efforts will focus on protecting the area and quality of natural forests, safeguarding endangered, rare and valuable species and their distinctive habitats, and restoring degraded forest areas.

Forest patrols, monitoring and fire prevention and firefighting will be strengthened. Other priorities include species surveys and monitoring, the development of a biodiversity database, and the application of technology to track changes in forest resources.

Alongside forest protection, the reserve's buffer zone covers 9,289.70 hectares across 12 hamlets in Ham Thuan Nam and Tan Thanh communes. In this area, the province will implement programs to encourage community participation in contracted forest protection, support production and improve livelihoods, gradually reducing pressure on forest resources.

Scientific research, environmental education, ecotourism, resort development and recreational activities will also be carried out in accordance with regulations, ensuring that the area's landscape and natural resources are used appropriately and in line with conservation requirements.

The provincial People's Committee has assigned the Department of Agriculture and Environment to lead the preparation of a proposal to establish the Ta Kou Nature Reserve Management Board by renaming the existing Ta Kou Nature Reserve Conservation Management Board. The department will coordinate with relevant agencies and local authorities to manage, protect and develop the forest in accordance with regulations.