On October 15, the Lam Dong provincial People’s Committee issued a decision establishing the Ta Kou Nature Reserve across Ham Thuan Nam and Tan Thanh communes.
Tree planting launched in open land areas within the Ta Kou Nature Reserve (Photo: Hai Thanh).
The reserve covers 8,408 hectares, including more than 7,342 hectares of natural forest, over 281 hectares of planted forest and 783 hectares of forestry land without forest cover.
It is divided into three functional zones: a strictly protected zone covering 2,994.34 hectares, an ecological restoration zone spanning 3,953.91 hectares and a services and administration zone of 1,459.75 hectares.
The reserve’s buffer zone covers 9,289.7 hectares across 12 hamlets in Ham Thuan Nam and Tan Thanh communes.
The establishment of the reserve provides a legal framework for forest management, protection and development. It aims to maintain distinctive forest ecosystems, conserve genetic resources, protect endangered and rare species and preserve their natural habitats.
The reserve will also focus on restoring degraded forest areas, supporting scientific research and environmental education, and developing ecotourism in accordance with regulations.
The estimated funding required for the establishment plan in 2026-30 exceeds VND 75.86 billion (about USD 2.92 million). Implementation will depend on available budget resources, the mobilisation of additional funding and the medium-term investment schedule.
Ta Kou has become a nature reserve (Photo: Hai Thanh).
The provincial People’s Committee has tasked the Department of Agriculture and Environment with advising on the reorganisation of the Ta Kou Nature Reserve Management Board, including renaming the existing Ta Kou Nature Conservation Area Management Board. The department will also guide, inspect and monitor implementation.
The management board will oversee forest protection and development programmes, biodiversity conservation and management of the buffer zone.
The plan also includes measures to support local livelihoods in the buffer zone, encourage community participation in forest protection, review and mark reserve boundaries, and address outstanding land-management issues within the forest area.
Ecotourism, resort and recreational activities will be developed in line with regulations, balancing the sustainable use of natural resources with conservation.