Community-nurtured ecosystems: [1] Entire village joins hands to protect rare species

The Tam My Tay forest in Tam My Commune, Da Nang City, has long been recognized nationwide as home to a population of the rare grey-shanked douc langur, a species listed in the Red List and subject to strict protection. The area includes 30 ha of production forest owned by residents of Tu My Village, adjacent to a special-use forest managed by the Da Nang Special-Use Forest Management Board. Remarkably, this rare primate has chosen to establish its habitat in the buffer zone, specifically the 30-ha production forest bordering the special-use forest.

More remarkably, many years ago, before local residents even knew the species' proper name or realized that this strikingly colored primate was a rare animal species on the Red List and under strict protection, they had already agreed among themselves to protect the primates and prevent anyone from harming them. As a result, the population of grey-shanked douc langurs has continued to grow year after year in the lush forest they have chosen as their long-term home.

Once learning that the animals were a rare species, the Community-Based Forest Patrol Team of Tu My Village became even more determined and committed to safeguarding their habitat every day. The story centers on Huynh Cong Phuong, Head of Tu My Village and Leader of the Tam My Forest Patrol Team.

A village with a rare primate population

Provincial Road 617 stretches from the center of Nui Thanh District (formerly part of Quang Nam Province) into Tam My Commune, winding through vast expanses of emerald forest. Located in the southeastern part of Da Nang City, Tam My faces the East Sea. Setting foot in Tam My also means entering the Truong Son mountain range.

Huynh Cong Phuong arranged to meet us at the forest's edge, at a T-junction where it branches off Provincial Road 617. The meeting point was an open clearing flanked by signs reminding tourists to protect the rare grey-shanked douc langur. This is one of the four regular patrol routes, including Hon Duong Bong, Hon Do, Hon Ong, and Hon Duong Ban Lau, that the Community-Based Forest Patrol Team of Tu My Village has followed for many years. On this occasion, we joined Phuong and his team on a patrol along the Hon Do route.

Before each patrol, Phuong's team carefully prepares all the necessary tools, including binoculars, GPS-enabled mobile phones, satellite maps, machetes for cutting through vines and wild grass, and drinking water. Their protective clothing is provided by the World Wide Fund for Nature in Viet Nam (WWF-Viet Nam), while each member uses his own motorcycle for transport. Everyone wears a pair of soft plastic military-style sandals.

In 2017, the first survey was conducted in Tu My Forest. Scientists and researchers recorded around 20 individual primates living in scattered pockets of natural forest across Hon Duong Bong, Hon Do, Hon Ong, and Hon Duong Ban Lau in Tam My Commune, covering an area of about 30 ha. In particular, these animals were identified as grey-shanked douc langurs living in several locations in Viet Nam, with an extremely small population. They were immediately classified as a critically endangered species on the Red List requiring protection. Under Article 244 of Viet Nam's Criminal Code, illegal hunting, killing, captivity, transport, or trade of grey-shanked douc langurs is punishable by fines of up to VND 4 billion and prison terms of up to 15 years.

Phuong recalled that, years before the scientific survey, Tam My residents regularly entered the forest to earn their livelihoods. During those trips, they often encountered a gentle, strikingly beautiful primate living in the natural forest, known for its distinctive calls used to communicate with other members of the troop. Villagers simply called it "doc," a local name inspired by the echoing calls that resonated through the forest.

Captivated by the animals' gentle nature and beauty, villagers grew fond of them. They reminded one another not to hunt the primates and not to allow outsiders into the forest to set traps. Their protection efforts were entirely spontaneous, driven by affection for the animals and an instinctive sense of stewardship. It was not until 2017, when scientists revealed the species' scientific name, that the Tan My people realized they had been safeguarding the particularly rare grey-shanked douc langur, a primate endemic to Viet Nam, listed in the Viet Nam Red Data Book and classified as Critically Endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List.

"When we knew how exceptionally rare the species was, everyone felt both joyful and anxious. We were happy because we had unknowingly protected one of nature's treasures, but we also realized that our responsibility had become much greater," Phuong shared.

Reviving an iconic primate species

In 2018, the Community-Based Forest Patrol Team of Tu My Village was formally established, comprising 10 members who are representatives of the commune People's Committee, local forest rangers, and village residents. Its primary mission is to patrol and protect the forest, monitor the grey-shanked douc langur population, and promptly prevent any activities that threaten either the langur herd or their natural forest ecosystem.

According to the team's schedule, four patrols are conducted each month, with each lasting from 7 a.m. until after 6 p.m. Beyond these fixed patrols, members are ready to head into the forest at any hour whenever local residents report signs of illegal logging, animal traps, or illegal bird hunting. The team provides its own transportation, equipment, and supplies. Even their knowledge of conservation and patrol techniques was initially acquired through self-learning. What every member shares is a deep love of nature, a sense of responsibility for protecting the forest, and the conviction that safeguarding the forest means safeguarding the home of these beautiful primates.

A major turning point came in 2018, when the GreenViet Biodiversity Conservation Centre (GreenViet) conducted a field survey in Tam My Tay Commune. Learning about this spontaneous grassroots forest patrol team, GreenViet worked with the Tam My commune authorities to establish the Tam My Tay Grey-shanked Douc Langur Conservation Pioneer Team. From then on, environmental experts provided the team with knowledge and skills in biodiversity conservation, environmental protection, and forest patrol measures. The knowledge gained was not only applied in the field but also shared with family members and neighbors.

In addition to training, GreenViet supplied patrol equipment and machinery, enabling the community-based patrol team to become a more organized, better-equipped force with clearer operating procedures. Beyond serving as forest guardians, team members also became active conservation ambassadors within their community. Through village meetings, the story of the grey-shanked douc langur gradually spread, helping local people better understand the species' ecological significance, legal status, and the importance of conserving this rare primate species.

According to Mr. Tran Huu Vy, Director of GreenViet, the Tam My Tay Grey-shanked Douc Langur Conservation Team, which began as a completely spontaneous protection team, has evolved into a more methodical and professional conservation network, with the active participation of local authorities, mass organizations, and residents.

A simple belief that primates were gentle, beautiful animals deserving of care has gradually evolved into a deeper understanding that the grey-shanked douc langur is a rare, endangered species requiring strict protection. Community members have received enhanced training and improved equipment for forest patrols, while patrol team members and their families are now covered by insurance—both a practical benefit and a meaningful recognition of their commitment.

Building on GreenViet's efforts, WWF-Viet Nam has continued to accompany and support the Community-Based Forest Patrol Team to protect the grey-shanked douc langur in the Tu My forest since 2025. In addition to providing equipment and technical training, WWF-Vietnam has helped promote sustainable livelihoods by supporting local households in restructuring crops and livestock and developing agricultural production through revolving loans on a two-year rotation.

In 2024 alone, projects funded by international organizations provided many households and members of the Conservation Pioneer Team with breeding pigs, chicks, animal feed, and large timber tree planting models. These livelihood models have not only increased incomes for households but have also strengthened local people's commitment to forest protection and grey-shanked douc langur conservation.

According to Vice Chairman of the Tam My Commune People's Committee Tran Hong Duong, the Community-Based Forest Patrol Team of Tu My Village has become a highly effective example of OECMs, helping conserve biodiversity, protect forests, and safeguard natural resources. With support from international organizations, local residents have become far more proactive in coordinating with the authorities. As a result, they have not only safeguarded the rare grey-shanked douc langur population but also protected the forest ecosystem and created sustainable livelihoods based on the biodiversity that the community has worked together to conserve.

Thanks to the efforts of the Tu My Village forest protection community and local authorities, along with the support of international environmental organizations, the grey-shanked douc langur population in Tu My Forest has grown steadily. From approximately 20 individuals recorded in 2017, the population had increased to around 75 individuals in nine social groups by early 2024, including numerous infants and juvenile animals. This positive signal demonstrates the remarkable efficiency of community-based conservation activities in the area.

Specifically, the patrol team has temporarily detained offenders and worked closely with relevant authorities to promptly prevent more than 50 violations involving forest protection and biodiversity conservation. Team members have also released dozens of wild animals, including slow lorises, various bird species, and other mammals, back into their natural habitats. In particular, the team has persuaded more than 30 households with acacia plantations bordering natural forests to adopt wildlife-friendly farming practices by carrying out controlled burning without affecting the grey-shanked douc langurs' habitat and refraining from encroaching on natural forest land.

Currently, the natural forests of Hon Do, Duong Bong, Hon Ong, and Duong Ban Lau have not only retained their original extent but have also shown signs of expansion. According to figures confirmed by the Tam My Commune People's Committee in 2024, 31.64 hectares of natural forest have been allocated to the local community for protection and management.