Unique dipterocarp forest ecosystem in Yok Don National Park

According to Mr. Pham Tuan Linh, Director of Yok Don National Park, the park has a total area of 115,545 ha, spanning the provinces of Dak Lak and Lam Dong (formerly Dak Nong). It shares nearly 70 km of border with Cambodia and has over 250 km of boundaries adjacent to villages, residential areas, fields, and transportation routes.

Yok Don National Park is the only dipterocarp forest ecosystem conservation area in Viet Nam, featuring high biodiversity with 1,006 plant species and 650 animal species, including many endemic, endangered, precious, and rare species such as elephants, gaurs, various ungulates, and valuable timber trees.

A 'living museum' of flora and fauna

In terms of flora, Yok Don National Park is regarded as a vibrant 'living museum' for researching the evolutionary history and the relationships among evergreen forests, semi-evergreen forests, and tropical dry deciduous broadleaf forests (dipterocarp forests). This is a distinctive and unique ecosystem in both Viet Nam and the world.

Biodiversity studies conducted in the park have identified 1,006 plant species belonging to 132 families and 464 genera. Among these, 120 species are capable of producing timber with a diameter of 20 cm or more, such as Dipterocarpus obtusifolius, Dipterocarpus sp., Pantacme siamensis Kurz., Afzelia xylocarpa, Padauk, and Rosewood. In addition, 64 plant species can be used as medicinal herbs in Yok Don National Park.

According to Mr. Pham Tuan Linh, at the Yok Don National Park, scientists have found that these plant species form an extensive forest cover, blanketing more than 90% of the park's total area. The vegetation is categorized into three main types: deciduous broadleaf open forest (dipterocarp forest), evergreen closed forest (evergreen forest), and semi-deciduous closed forest. Among these, the dipterocarp forest dominates the landscape of Yok Don National Park. This forest type is characterized by sparse tree density, discontinuous canopies, and seasonal leaf fall in the dry season. As a result, large amounts of sunlight can reach the ground, creating favorable conditions for tree regeneration and the strong development of the grass layer.

The fauna of Yok Don National Park is extremely rich and distinctive, comprising 92 mammal species belonging to 30 families and 12 orders; 373 bird species belonging to 70 families and 7 orders; 55 reptile species; 18 amphibian species; 112 fish species; and over 437 insect species. Notably, 41 mammal species, 22 bird species, and several rare reptiles are listed in the Vietnam Red Data Book, including the Ca Toong deer, kouprey, gaur, wild cow, wild buffalo, leopard, tiger, peafowl, pheasant, flying squirrels, great hornbill, and freshwater crocodile.

A distinctive feature of the park is that its rare mammal species typically form large, concentrated populations, such as gaur, wild cow, giant muntjac, red wolf, and langurs. Particularly notable is the Asian elephant, a rare species closely associated with Yok Don National Park. The park is the only area in Viet Nam that preserves dipterocarp forests of the Dipterocarpaceae family with large and concentrated populations of rare large mammals, such as giant muntjac, Ca Toong deer, Asian elephant, tiger, and red wolf.

Cultural and tourism values

Alongside its rich biodiversity, Yok Don National Park is also a destination for exploring the unique cultural heritage of the Central Highlands ethnic groups. Here, many ancient architectural styles and longstanding customs of local communities remain fully preserved.

According to Mr. Pham Tuan Linh, Director of Yok Don National Park, the park is considered a convergence point for various ethnic communities and is regarded as the "first capital" of Dak Lak province. Within the park's territory are remnants of revolutionary historical sites from the resistance wars against foreign invaders, including sections of the Ho Chi Minh Trail and former liaison ferry points. These sites hold significant historical value and are highly attractive to tourists.

In terms of environment and landscape, Yok Don National Park offers poetic, picturesque scenery, with vast stretches of forest and the legendary Serepok River formed by the Krong No and Krong Ana tributaries flowing through the area. The river creates numerous majestic rapids and waterfalls, with year-round water flow, and the region enjoys a refreshing atmosphere.

Director of Yok Don National Park Pham Tuan Linh noted that most of the households living around Yok Don National Park face economic hardship, lack arable land, and depend heavily on unsustainable forest resource exploitation. Therefore, developing community-based ecotourism in Yok Don National Park is considered an optimal solution to help local people achieve sustainable livelihoods. Thereby reducing negative impacts on natural resources and contributing significantly to poverty reduction, new rural development, social welfare, and the maintenance of national defense, security, and social order.