Pu Mat National Park – Towards the ASEAN Heritage Park

Pu Mat National Park (Nghe An) is located in the ecological area of ​​North Truong Son. This is a biodiversity conservation area representing the largest typical tropical and sub-tropical forest ecosystems in the North Truong Son area and is a place where the distribution of many species of flora and fauna has been determined. rare objects.
“Green lung” in the western part of Nghe

Pu Mat National Park (Nghe An) currently has a natural forest area of ​​194,000ha, of which the core area has an area of ​​94,000ha and the buffer zone of 100,000ha. Pu Mat Peak is 1,841m high, covered with white clouds all year round. According to data from researchers, Pu Mat is one of the major biological reserves in Vietnam with more than 2,400 species of plants, 37 of which are in the Vietnam Red Book and 20 species in the World Red Book. . Thousand years old oil plant – Vietnamese heritage tree in the core zone of Pu Mat National Park It is a special-use forest representing the typical tropical and sub-tropical forest ecosystem on earthy mountains; Forest coverage accounts for over 98%, of which primary forest not yet affected is nearly 40%. In which, there are many endangered and rare species of national and international conservation value. In particular, in the 20th century, scientists recorded 4 new species of large mammals for science in Vietnam, all four species were present in this National Park. Specifically, Sao La (Pseudoryx nghetinhensis scientific name), Large Maw (Muntiacus vuquangensis), Truong Son Mangrove (Muntiacus truongsonensis), Striped Rabbit (Nesolagus timminsi). Therefore, Pu Mat National Park plays a very important role in the biodiversity conservation strategy of Vietnam, as well as the world. However, the current forest resources of the National Park have been and are in danger of being degraded by illegal exploitation of forest resources. In particular, the forest fauna is being reduced by hunting and trapping activities of local people. This is considered the most serious threat to the biodiversity resources of Pu Mat National Park. Therefore, for many years, the strengthening of the protection and conservation has always been focused on and tightened by the staff of this national park as well as the authorities at all levels and organizations. The forest is strictly protected According to the Pu Cool National Forest Management Board, which protects wildlife in two special protection areas, two forest protection groups of Pu Mat National Park were established with 12 members. Co Penalty group has 6 members on duty to patrol and protect Khe Bong special protected area. Khe Choang group has 6 members who patrol and protect Khe Choang special protected area. Each member of forest protection groups organizes patrols for 15 days / month, operating from the beginning of 2018 to the present. Rescue pangolins at the Pu Mat National Park Rescue Center After nearly 3 years of operation, the impact of people on the 2 special protected areas has decreased significantly, by 2020 only one impact is left by the people. Maybe they go to get medicinal plants or go hunting animals. This shows that, 2 special protected areas have been well protected, ensuring a high safety habitat for the animals here. In addition, SVW also provides funding for the recruitment garden, contracts a specialized forest protection force and establishes an Anti Poaching team (anti-poaching team) to coordinate with Pu Mat forest rangers to patrol and protect the forest. , removing animal traps, handling violations of forest law. Each anti-poaching team member will coordinate with the National Park Forest Protection patrol and protect the forest at least 15 days / month. After a short time, 85 people participated in forest patrol for 593 days and nearly 6,000km on foot to patrol, handle, expel more than 200 people out of the forest or handle violations of the forest law; destroyed 539 tents; 4,655 animal traps removed; rescue treatment or re-release 18 living animals, the number of dead animals is 93, the number of dead animals is not equal to 23kg; confiscated and handled 11 fish jacks. With a fierce protection work, up to now, logging for commercial purposes has been prevented. Trap setting for wild animals has been reduced compared to the past. In particular, the two special protected areas with the concentrated distribution of animals have been strictly protected, becoming non-hunting zones, ensuring a high safe living environment for animals. In particular, the application of Smart software to patrol the forest for all forest rangers and forest protection forces of the park. The results of patrolling according to the plan, reporting clear forest patrol results, showing comparative information … to serve as the basis for building patrol plans and assessing the effectiveness of forest protection in areas of Pu Mat National Park. In particular, support for effective inspection and supervision of forest patrol and protection. Coordinate forest patrol in the core zone of Pu Mat National Park Mr. Tran Xuan Cuong – Director of Pu Mat National Park – said: “In the past 3 years, in the area of ​​Pu Mat National Park, there has been no situation of logging for commercial purposes; the situation of fishing, which destroys aquatic resources, is basically controlled; Put an end to all hotspots of forest products exploitation and wildlife hunting. The garden management board also does a good job of collaborating in conservation across borders with Laos in biodiversity conservation ”. Also according to Mr. Cuong, recently, Nghe An Provincial People’s Committee has asked the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment to consider and nominate Pu Mat National Park to be ASEAN Heritage Park (AHP). Through consideration, Pu Mat National Park has the potential and conditions to become AHP. On October 20, 2020, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment sent a document to the People’s Committee of Nghe An province to nominate the title of ASEAN Heritage Park for Pu Mat National Park. Accordingly, the Ministry agrees on the policy of building a profile and nominating AHP title for Pu Mat National Park, Nghe An province. In the coming time, the park management board will continue to focus on researching and re-planning functional sub-zones in accordance with reality to protect and develop forest ecosystems, conserve wildlife species, and develop to develop livelihoods for ethnic minorities living in the core and buffer zones. Well implementing regulations on coordination in forest management and protection; enhancing cooperation in biological conservation … In addition, the garden management board will also have a plan to expand the wildlife rescue center, implementing a program of reproduction and conservation of rare and precious animals. Priority for protection in the national conservation program. Located on the eastern slope of Truong Son range, Pu Mat National Park stretches over 3 mountainous districts of Con Cuong, Anh Son and Tuong Duong of Nghe An province. Pu Mat in the Thai language means steep slopes. Pu Mat National Park was established in 1995 and recognized by the United Nations Educational Science and Culture Organization (UNESCO) as a World Biosphere Reserve in 2007. According to a survey by the Forest Inventory and Planning Institute in 1992, Pu Mat National Park has 1,297 species of higher plants, 64 species of mammals, 137 species of birds, 25 species of reptiles, 15 species of amphibians.