Hon Ba Nature Reserve preservation combined with eco-tourism development is among targets of the Hon Ba Nature Reserve planning till 2020...
Hon Ba Nature Reserve preservation combined with eco-tourism development is among targets of the Hon Ba Nature Reserve planning till 2020 which has just been approved by Khanh Hoa Provincial People’s Committee.
Hon Ba Nature Reserve planning till 2020 is essential to protect natural resources, forests and ecological environment, says Tran Trong Thach (Center for Surveying & Designing of Agriculture & Rural Development).
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| Dr. Alexandre Yersin's house on Hon Ba peak. |
In addition, natural, cultural and historical strengths of Hon Ba will be promoted to boost eco-tourism for the local socio-economic growth. Accordingly, Hon Ba Nature Reserve covering nearly 19,300ha is located in the area belonging to the 4 districts of Cam Lam, Dien Khanh, Khanh Son and Khanh Vinh.
3 functional sections are for stringent security, ecological restoration and service-administration. The stringent security section accounts for 50% of Hon Ba Nature Reserve, featuring biodiversity characteristics of rare species such as Fokienia hodginisii, Dacrydium elatum, Podocarpus neriifolius, Cinnamomum cassia, etc.
The ecological restoration section is for forest protection and regeneration, forest fire control, biodiversity research, tourism and service development. The service-administration section is for offices of the nature reserve management board, scientific research and infrastructure development for tourism.
Hon Ba was discovered by a celebrated scientist, Dr. Alexandre Yersin, for his medical and pharmaceutical study in the early 20th century. The reserve boasts abundant plants and wildlife and sustains water sources for such rivers as Cau River (Khanh Vinh District), To Hap River (Khanh Son District) and Cai River (Nha Trang City). Khanh Hoa Provincial People’s Committee issued a decision to establish Hon Ba Nature Reserve in 2004.
Besides, the planning includes infrastructures for recreational and ecological tourism; community cultural and historical study.
In some years, more tours will be opened such as tours to Hon Ba peak, Nha Trang – Thach Lam – Hon Ba and so on. Together with traditional souvenir craft industry promotion, infrastructures will be improved to receive home-stay guests. Visitors are expected to increase to 15,000/ year (period 2016-2020) from 7,000/ year (period 2014-2015). Half of the figure is estimated to be international tourists.
Constructions for scientific research will include a museum which conserves a collection of artifacts and other objects of scientific and historical importance related to the nature reserve and Dr. Alexandre Yersin; Endangered Fauna & Flora Rescue and Development Center for saving wife life; plantation, etc.
Other investment till 2020 will focus on forest protection and development, biodiversity data collection, step by step upgrading Hon Ba Nature Reserve to the national park. The total capital of the planning till 2020 is over VND94.8 billion, half of which is from the State budget.
N.T
