Rhino in Cat Tien National Park is under threat

Yesterday, July 1 was the time to complete the dossier requesting the UNESCO to recognize Cat Tien National Park (National Park CT) as a world natural heritage. But until now, the invasion of CTNP has not been prevented and resolved.

One horned rhinoceros in Cat Tien National Park
(Photo of the WWF Organization trap
was in 1999)

The latest survey results by national and international scientists have identified the "collection" of CTNP with up to 1,610 plant species (belonging to 724 genera, 162 families), of which 176 species of large tree species are 345 species of shrubs, 238 species of vines and nearly 1,490 species of animals, including 103 rare animals such as Javanese rhinos, wild cows, freshwater crocodiles, red knuckles, white-necked cranes, cock-necked chickens hung .

With such valuable figures, CTNP is considered to be the richest organism resource in Vietnam. Rich resources of plants and animals, along with landscape elements, National Park CT is an important "museum" for natural scientists.

However, the "treasure" of Cat Tien did not seem to be concerned with proper preservation and protection. In the beginning of June this year, in a quick report to the leadership of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Chairman of Lam Dong Provincial People's Committee - Mr. Tran Van Mui - Director of CTNP wrote: "Deforestation hotspots are happening." In two villages 3 and 4, Phuoc Cat 2 commune, Cat Tien district, Lam Dong, deforestation is organized, the area of ​​destruction is in the core of the national park, in the area of ​​499 and 500 sub-areas. a bamboo area, reeds, and umbrellas were disrupted. Only the big wooden trees were not cut . ".

Mr. Luu Van Hao - Head of the National Forest Protection Department of CTN - confirmed: "Only in May 2006, in the third village of Phuoc Cat 2 commune, the area of ​​cleared forest was up to 26,1271 ha of big forest and bamboo forest. In which, white generation is 20,1272 ha and 6 ha of trees are cut down (not yet cut down trees) In village 4 of Phuoc Cat 2 commune, people still play forest to open the road (1.5m wide and 3.5m long) running horizontally. through special-use forest . ".

Experts from WWF Indochina also expressed concern. Mr. David Murphy said: "Since 1999, after asserting the existence in Cat Tien species of Javan rhino, is considered one of the rarest animals on earth, National Park CTN has received the attention of all There has been a project to preserve the rare rhinos of Vietnam, also one of the only two rhino populations on the planet.

But so far, according to the latest report, after six years of implementing the project, the number of rhinos surviving at CTNP is only seven. We have a project to spend 5,000ha as a rhino habitat and this area is strictly protected. But in reality, living land and rhino life are always threatened by landless immigrants, illegal loggers and hunters . ".

That is the result of delays in the project of relocating residents from the garden area.

Concerns about the above environmental impacts need to be addressed quickly by the authorities and scientific organizations. Because the meeting of the National Heritage Council at CTNP on 21 May agreed on the preparation of scientific documents to soon submit to UNESCO for recognition of CTNP as a world natural heritage, in which cultural elements are complementary content. .