The northern mountainous province of Son La has approved a plan on
biodiversity protection between 2014 and 2020 in an effort to protect
the eco-environment, cope with climate change and ensure security and
defence.
Under the plan, the province will protect
four existing nature reserves namely the 6,311ha Copia in Thuan Chau
district, the 18,020ha Sop Cop Forest in Sop Cop and Song Ma
districts, the 16,553ha Ta Xua Forest in Bac Yen district, and the
18,116ha Xuan Nha Forest in Van Ho district.
It will also
build a new reserve on an area of 20,000ha in Muong La district and a
247ha culture-tourism-environment preservation zone in Phu Yen district.
The Muong La forest boasts its high biodiversity
with many endangered species, notably black gibbons that are now only
found in Vietnam and China , Phayre’s langur, rufous-necked
hornbill and Asian golden cat. They are under threat mainly due to
increasing deforestation and illegal hunting.
Son La
is now home to nearly 634,000 of forest, including 610,000ha of natural
forest. The province expects to increase its forest coverage to 55
percent (779,600ha) by 2020.-VNA