Restoration of Truong Son forest

The WWF and Quang Nam Provincial FPD have just launched a forest restoration program in the Truong Son range, Laos and Vietnam border areas.

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The program was implemented in 20 communes in Thua Thien Hue and Quang Nam provinces, an activity of the project 'Carbon stocking and biodiversity conservation' (CarBi) initiated by WWF. During this planting phase, indigenous trees will be newly planted on 200 ha and more than 430 ha of forest at key points of the two provinces.

In 2014, the program will continue to grow indigenous trees over 250 hectares and promote forest regeneration at 2,970 hectares in the same area.

Sao la, a rare and endemic animal of Truong Son area.(Photo: WWF)

According to the assessment of conservation experts, central Truong Son is one of the areas with high biodiversity of the region and the world, with many rare animals and can only be found here like saola. , langur, carrying Truong Son, large gills and zebra rabbit. However, forests are fragmented due to many human activities, especially illegal logging, wildlife hunting as well as unsustainable forestry methods.

Fragmented habitats are one of the main causes that threaten natural biological 'corridors' , limiting species of migration and breeding. Biological corridors are the foundation for the survival of rare species living in this biodiversity hotspot. There are many species being pushed to the brink of extinction. Without forest regeneration efforts, the regional ecosystem will not be able to recover.

'WWF is trying to connect fragmented patches of forest in the central Truong Son area to create natural' corridors', which can ensure safe movement of rare species in the area. there are saola species , " said Dr. Le Thuy Anh, Central Truong Son Program Manager of WWF-Vietnam.

"Planting indigenous trees is one of WWF's ongoing activities in the Cari program to re-create the seamless link of this unique biodiversity area," added Dr Anh.

The Forest Restoration component of the project is a community-based forest protection and development strategy and implemented in cooperation with local households. Households are the people who will carry out forest restoration, which provides their livelihoods.