Bio-diversity

Thai Phin Tung village is located on the side and in the valley of the limestone plateau of Dong Van, the North frontier district in Ha Giang province. The majority of Thai Phin Tung community are Mong people, the long time habitants (98.5%); and the rest are Tay (0.09%) and King (0.06%) people. The female workforce accounts for 43.3% of the total village population. The poverty rate is high (29%). This is one of 17 poorest villages of Dong Van district. Food security is the most concerning issue of Thai Phin Tung community. The total land area of Thai Phin Tung is 2,536 hectares. Half of the land is agricultural land with only 3 hectares of wet rice production and 1200 hectares of agroforestry. The rest is either grassland, savanna, vacant land or rocky hills. Forests are the main source of income for the local residents. However, total area and economic value of the forests have declined dramatically recently due to overexploitation. As a result, the canopy area has been reduced, causing severe shortage of water needed for agricultural activities and domestic use. Though forests account for only 2% of the total natural land area in the village, they present rare and valuable biological genes such as Taxus chinensis (Dilg.) Rehder, Cupressus funebris Endl., Amentotaxus hatuyenensis N.T.Hiep et J.E.Vidal and Podocarpus pilgeri Foxw. These four species are all listed in the Red Book of Vietnam with the high risk of extinction. In order to preserve these valuable genes in Thai Phin Tung village, GEF SGP sponsored project named Preserving and developing valuable genes, and protecting biodiversity in Thai Phin Tung village, Dong Van district, Ha Giang province from 2003 to 2005 and gained some good results in preserving valuable and vulnerable species and some limited results in poverty reduction and income increase for the local community. Preserving valuable and vulnerable species and protecting the limestone ecosystem is essential because of the following reasons: - Preserving valuable and vulnerable species also means protecting the limestone ecosystem, a unique, sensitive and vulnerable ecosystem. This limestone ecosystem has alleviated the severe water shortage conditions in dry seasons, increased humidity and prevented bush fires. - Thai Phin Tung is one of the rare villages with a small area of forest but has 11 valuable tree species. - Taxus chinensis (Dilg.) Rehder and Fallopia multiflora are not only industrial trees but also valuable medical trees. Investment and development of these trees will preserve the valuable genes, increase income of local residents and reduce hunger and poverty. Therefore, the stage 2 of this project aims to enhance the results and sustainability of the existing activities, promoting preservation of valuable genes of the limestone ecosystem in Thai Phin Tung village. Goal of the project: - Contribute to the protection of the limestone ecosystem biodiversity in Thai Phin Tung village, Dong Van district. Objectives: Preserve and develop the valuable floral gene sources which are under the high risk of extinction; protect the limestone ecosystem with valuable species. Increase awareness and capacities of the local residents in protecting forests, biodiversity and the valuable gene sources. Accumulate and share scientific information, experience and lessons in protecting endangered species and compose technical documents for the project. Main activities: - Delineate the protected areas of valuable species. - Propagate and reforest the valuable species. - Obtain the commitment of the concerned local authorities and agencies in valuable species preservation and protection. - Enhance protecting and developing the delineated forest areas and enforce people involvement in forest protection to be included in the village regulations. - Execute the project loan mechanisms to increase income and reduce poverty. - Label protection signs for just discovered valuable species. - Raise funds to assist the community in recovering and developing the limestone ecosystem of Thai Phin Tung village. - Prepare project technical documents for dissemination.

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