Lam Dong forest economy: [2] Protecting the Nam Nung watershed

Covering more than 23,200ha, the Nam Nung Nature Reserve in Nam Nung Commune, Lam Dong Province, is of exceptional ecological importance, renowned for its rich biodiversity, vital water resources, and the preservation of the Central Highlands' historical and cultural heritage.

According to forestry experts, the reserve is a critically important headwater forest, playing a key role in safeguarding water security for Lam Dong Province and downstream areas, including Dong Nai Province and Ho Chi Minh City. Rising to nearly 1,600m above sea level, Nam Nung is the source of numerous streams, rivers, and waterfalls that supply water to lower-lying regions. Its dense natural forest canopy functions as a vast natural water reservoir, capturing rainfall, replenishing groundwater, reducing soil erosion, and regulating the local climate.

Nam Nung is also recognized as one of the Central Highlands' most biologically diverse forest ecosystems. The reserve comprises two principal forest types: evergreen broadleaf forest and mixed bamboo forest, with evergreen broadleaf forest accounting for approximately 90% of the total area. Biodiversity surveys have identified 881 plant species, including 75 rare and threatened species listed in the Red Data Books of Viet Nam and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), such as Dalbergia bariensis, Afzelia xylocarpa, Sindora siamensis, Hopea odorata, Dipterocarpus costatus, Madhuca pasquieri, and Quercus species.

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In terms of wildlife, the Nam Nung Nature Reserve is home to approximately 58 mammal species, including 24 specieslisted in the Red Data Books of Viet Nam and the IUCN, such as the gaur, black-shanked douc langur, southern yellow-cheeked gibbon, and binturong. The reserve also supports 173 bird species, 66 fish species, and 37 reptile species, underscoring its significance as one of the Central Highlands' biodiversity hotspots.

Beyond its biological richness, Nam Nung also possesses remarkable geological heritage. The reserve features granite mountain ranges, natural waterfalls, and tektite specimens of high scientific value, providing important evidence of geological processes that have shaped the region over millions of years.

The area is equally significant for its historical and cultural heritage. Nam Nung once served as a stronghold of the uprising led by the indigenous leader N'Trang Guh and later became a strategically important base during Viet Nam's resistance war against the United States. Traditional festivals, indigenous customs, and distinctive local cuisine further enrich the area's cultural identity, making Nam Nung a "living museum" of the Central Highlands' natural and cultural heritage.

As climate change intensifies, the ecological importance of Nam Nung Forest has become increasingly evident. Its old-growth forests not only absorb and store significant amounts of carbon, helping mitigate greenhouse gas emissions, but also regulate the local climate, safeguard headwater resources, reduce the risks of drought and soil erosion, and lessen the impacts of extreme weather events.

Despite its importance, protecting the reserve has become increasingly challenging. Its vast area, rugged terrain, and long forest boundaries, combined with a limited number of forest protection personnel, make regular patrols and monitoring difficult. Additional pressure comes from spontaneous migration into communities surrounding the buffer zone. Faced with economic hardship, some migrants have encroached on the forest for illegal logging, wildlife hunting, and land clearing for cultivation, threatening the reserve's natural resources.

In response, the Management Board of the Nam Nung Nature Reserve has implemented a range of integrated measures to strengthen forest protection. In addition to working closely with local authorities, police, border guards, and forest rangers to conduct regular patrols, the Board has intensified public awareness campaigns to help local communities better understand the value of the forest and their shared responsibility for conserving natural resources.

One of the most successful initiatives has been the community-based forest protection contracting scheme. The Management Board has signed protection agreements with nearly 300 households, entrusting them with the stewardship of more than 3,000ha of forest.

According to Mr. Bui Duy Giap, Deputy Director of the Management Board of the Nam Nung Nature Reserve, involving local people directly in forest protection has not only reduced pressure on forest resources but also created employment opportunities and additional income for households living near the forest. More importantly, local residents have become the reserve's first line of defense, helping detect and report violations at an early stage.

"Public awareness of forest protection has improved significantly in recent years. Households participating in the forest protection contracts now regard the forests under their care as part of their own property, giving them a strong sense of responsibility for protecting these valuable resources," Mr. Giap said.

Alongside its conservation mission, the Nam Nung Nature Reserve is gradually developing ecotourism as a means of generating sustainable financial resources to support long-term forest protection.

With its pristine landscapes, rich biodiversity, and renowned natural attractions, including the Seven-Tier Waterfall (Tiger Waterfall), Bear Waterfall, and extensive tracts of well-preserved special-use forest - the reserve is widely regarded as having strong potential for developing nature-based tourism while maintaining its conservation values.

Mr. Bui Duy Giap said the Management Board of the Nam Nung Nature Reserve has signed cooperation agreements with two enterprises to develop ecotourism across more than 743ha of forest. Beyond generating additional revenue for the reserve, ecotourism plays an important role in raising public awareness about the importance of forest conservation.

"Protecting the forest today means safeguarding water resources for future generations. Conserving Nam Nung Forest is therefore not only the responsibility of forest rangers or the forestry sector, but also requires the collective commitment of the entire political system, the private sector, and local communities. Only by protecting these headwater forests sustainably can the Central Highlands ensure long-term water security and strengthen its resilience to the growing challenges of climate change," Mr. Bui Duy Giap said.