The Ministry of Planning and Investment has approved a 74 billion VND
(3.44 million USD) budget for a project on urgent protection of wild
elephants in the southern province of Dong Nai, according to the
provincial Forest Protection Department.
The project, expected to
kick off in December this year, will be implemented in the natural
forests of Vinh Cuu, Tan Phu and Dinh Quan districts.
The project
will focus on assessing the elephant population, distribution and
movements, while planning the expansion of their habitat to provide
sustainable natural living conditions.
It will also seek ways to
avoid conflict between people and elephants and increase
communication efforts to raise the public’s awareness of the importance
of protecting wild elephants.
Research conducted by Vietnamese
and Indian experts in December 2001 showed that the total wild elephant
population in Dong Nai is 15-20 individuals. Meanwhile, the province’s
Forest Protection Department estimated the number at 17 in 2009 and ten
individuals in 2013.
Increased habitat loss is
posing a severe threat to elephants. Local foresters in Dong Nai said
the natural habitat for wild Asian elephants decreased from 50,000ha in
the 1990s to 14,000 ha in 2005, mostly in Cat Tien National Park .
Between 2006 and 2009, elephants expanded their territory
to 34,000ha, encroaching on residential areas in Ma Da and Phu Ly
communes in Vinh Cuu district. Last year and early this year, the
elephants approached the forests near Thanh Son commune in Dinh Quan
district and parts of the La Nga forestry company plantation.
According
to Tran Van Mui, Director of the Dong Nai Biosphere Reserve, elephants’
habitats are being reduced and degraded, leading to a lack of food and
more conflicts between the animals and residents. Since 2009, nine
elephants and one person were killed during conflicts.-VNA