The Ninh Binh People's Committee has issued a decision establishing the Kim Bang Delacour's Langur Species and Habitat Conservation Area as a special-use forest reserve.
The reserve covers a total area of 3,182 hectares across Ly Thuong Kiet Ward, Tam Chuc Ward and Nguyen Uy Ward.
Delacour's langurs are being protected in Ninh Binh Province (Photo: Thai Ba).
Under the plan, the protected area will be divided into three management zones. These include a strictly protected zone covering more than 1,800 hectares, an ecological restoration zone of nearly 1,400 hectares and a service and administrative zone spanning almost 16 hectares.
Authorities said no buffer zone has been proposed at this stage because current land-use conditions and habitat characteristics do not yet meet the necessary requirements.
The reserve will implement a range of programmes covering forest protection, restoration and development, wildfire prevention and control, pest management, scientific research, training, forest environmental service payments, infrastructure development and forest-resource monitoring.
Management plans will also focus on monitoring the population of Delacour's langurs, expanding international cooperation and supporting the livelihoods of local communities.
The establishment of the reserve is intended to preserve the integrity of the region's limestone mountain forest ecosystem, protect the environment, maintain key ecological functions and promote sustainable development.
Specific objectives include safeguarding existing natural forest areas, particularly sites with high conservation value and critical wildlife habitats.
A major priority will be the conservation of flora and fauna, especially endemic, endangered and rare species, with particular emphasis on the Delacour's langur.
Known scientifically as Trachypithecus delacouri, the Delacour's langur is one of the world's rarest primates and is found only in Vietnam. The species is listed as Critically Endangered on the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List due to habitat loss and hunting pressure.
Authorities said the reserve will also help improve forest quality through stronger protection measures and ecological restoration efforts.
In addition, the project aims to increase public awareness and community participation in conservation activities while gradually developing ecotourism linked to biodiversity protection and the promotion of the area's natural heritage.
