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Natural waterfall in the Gieng Waterfall landscape protection area – Source: http://baobackan.com.vn/
With the diversity of both fauna and flora, plus the special location in Bac Kan city, the nghien forest and natural waterfall at Thac Gieng, Xuat Hoa ward are considered to have great potential in conserving genetic resources combined with ecotourism. To protect this population, the People’s Committee of Bac Kan province has issued a Decision to establish Thac Gieng Landscape Protection Area.
Outstanding biodiversity values
The Gieng Waterfall Landscape Protection Area is located at the junction between Xuat Hoa Ward, Bac Can City and Tan Son Commune, Cho Moi District, with a total area of over 594.04 hectares, of which the strictly protected area is over 195 hectares, the ecological restoration area is over 327 hectares, the service – administrative area is over 22 hectares, the inner buffer zone is over 48 hectares, and the outer buffer zone is over 8,750 hectares.
Through the process of investigation, field survey and research, it is shown that this is an area of primeval forest that has been impacted, with a unique and attractive natural landscape. The fauna in the strictly protected area has about 100 species of vertebrates including mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, in which many rare and precious animals with high conservation value are preserved such as cobras, king cobras, geckos, civets, red-faced monkeys, wild cats, large lorises, fan-leaf bats… However, these animals currently have very few individuals living.
Regarding the flora, the presence of various types of vegetation is recorded, such as: Natural evergreen broadleaf forests on medium limestone mountains, natural evergreen broadleaf forests on poor limestone mountains, natural evergreen broadleaf forests on restored limestone mountains… creating diversity in vegetation, as well as the landscape of the area. This is an area with a population of more than 500 ironwood trees, with diameters ranging from 20 cm to more than 100 cm. To protect the precious ironwood forest, the People’s Committee of Bac Kan City has directed the City Forest Protection Department to coordinate with the authorities of Xuat Hoa Ward and Tan Son Commune, agreeing to assign the protection of Na Nooc forest to the community of Nam Dat village with an area of more than 52 hectares. It can be said that the ironwood forest in the Thac Gieng Landscape Protection Area is rare.
In addition, this area is currently conserving a number of rare plant species such as cycads, lat hoa, trai ly… belonging to groups IA, IIA in Decree No. 32/2006/ND-CP on management of endangered, precious and rare forest animals and plants dated March 30, 2006 and Decree No. 160/2013/ND-CP on criteria for determining species and species management regime in the List of endangered, precious and rare species prioritized for protection dated November 12, 2013 of the Government with conservation levels from endangered (EN) to near-endangered (VU) in the Vietnam Red Book and the World Red List.
The development of a management plan for the Thac Gieng Landscape Protection Area associated with economic, social, environmental and tourism development includes: Converting the Thac Gieng Landscape Protection Area into a special-use forest for protection according to the Forestry Law; protecting, conserving and developing forest areas, restoring ecosystems, conserving biodiversity, protecting and embellishing natural landscapes, cultural, historical and environmental values, etc.; a plan for developing infrastructure for the transport system combined with patrol roads, forest protection works, information systems, equipment for forest management and protection; a plan for developing eco-tourism and environmental education, associated with forest conservation and development.
Potential for ecotourism development
In addition to its biodiversity values, the Landscape Protection Area also has Na Nooc waterfall, also known as Silver Waterfall, located at the foot of Ang Toong Pass, a natural waterfall originating from two streams, Nam Dat stream and Na Khu stream in Tan Son commune, Cho Moi district. The entire system consists of 5 waterfalls with a height of 300 m above sea level, looking from afar like a soft white silk scarf creating a fresh, cool climate all year round. The waterfall has been ranked as a provincial-level scenic relic.
In addition, the protected area also has the newly discovered Ang Toong Cave. The cave has unique aesthetic value with a two-story cave system. The entire cave is a system of stalactites with diverse colors, a masterpiece of natural art. The cave was ranked as a national scenic relic by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism in 2013.
With its geographical location and rich tourism resources, the Gieng Waterfall Landscape Protection Area will soon become an eco-tourism destination, attracting a large number of visitors. Therefore, in the coming time, the Landscape Protection Area will focus on conserving and developing natural resources, including protecting and developing forests, flora, conserving and developing wildlife; at the same time, building infrastructure to serve management work associated with eco-tourism development.
The Thac Gieng Landscape Protection Area is assigned to the Bac Kan City Forest Protection Department under the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development for management according to the regulations on special-use forest management and current state regulations. The total investment capital for the conservation and development of the Thac Gieng Landscape Protection Area until 2030 is about more than 35 billion VND, of which the state budget capital is nearly 24 billion VND and other mobilized capital is more than 11 billion VND.
The establishment of the Thac Gieng Landscape Protection Area is of great significance in order to preserve and sustainably develop valuable natural landscapes, conserve important natural ecosystems and rare wildlife species; maintain and protect environmental values, contribute to the development of local ecotourism, increase income for people living in the buffer zone; prevent slash-and-burn farming as well as illegal logging in the province, contribute to the strategy of preserving cultural and historical relics, conserving nature, protecting the environment and sustainable development.
Source: Department of Natural Resources and Environment