White-necked langurs and tourism potential

Recently, the strong growth in the number of white-necked langurs on the high and overlapping rocky mountains in the communes: Thach Hoa, Dong Hoa, Thuan Hoa (Tuyen Hoa) has attracted many tourists and visitors. photographers, opening up opportunities to develop community-based tourism in localities along the banks of Gianh River.
Tourism development potential

The white-necked langur was found and discovered in 2012 by Mr. Nguyen Thanh Tu, a local resident on the limestone mountain in Thach Hoa commune. Since then, he has persuaded 14 other people to volunteer to protect the langurs. In 2015, the Provincial Forest Protection Department, in collaboration with local authorities, identified about 10 herds with over 100 individuals in the communes of Thach Hoa, Dong Hoa and Thuan Hoa. Thanks to the strict protection of the locality along with the support of functional forces and voluntary protection groups, the white-necked langur herd in the above communes of Tuyen Hoa district has grown in total numbers. According to the investigation results of the Center for Indigenous Knowledge Research and Development (CIRD) in collaboration with the Provincial Forest Protection Department to organize the implementation under the framework of the project sponsored by the Mekong Region Land Governance project, currently Currently, there are 22 herds and 156 individuals of white-necked langurs in 3 main areas: Dong Hoa, Thach Hoa and Thuan Hoa communes. In which, Thach Hoa is the most recorded area with 12 herds and 91 individuals; Dong Hoa area has 9 herds and 57 individuals; Thuan Hoa area has 1 herd with 8 individuals. In particular, in 2020, the number of young children born is quite high compared to previous years at 14 children. Recently, scientists also discovered some moldy monkeys here. The appearance of white-necked langurs, species listed in the Red Book of Vietnam and the world, together with beautiful natural landscapes, rich villages on both sides of Gianh River with many valuable cultural and historical relics, such as: Len Dai Hoa cave, Tran Tao weapons factory (Dong Hoa commune), etc., are favorable conditions and potentials for the development of various types of eco-tourism, cultural and experiential tourism. Visitors can look, watch the white-necked langurs play, look for food on the trees or on the craggy cliffs. Mr. Ngo Van Hong, Director of the CIRD Center, said that if in the past it was necessary to use binoculars to see the langurs, now, the langurs are increasingly bold, with our naked eyes we can also look and watch them happily. play, naturally foraging in the trees or on the crags. This place not only attracts domestic and international wildlife lovers but is also an ideal place for schools inside and outside the province to organize for students to explore the biodiversity of the region. Tuyen Hoa limestone mountains as well as the growth behavior of white-necked langurs, mold monkeys. Both volunteering to protect the local white-necked langurs, the protection team are also volunteer tour guides, guiding those who come to learn, research, take photos, and watch the white-necked langurs… Mr. Nguyen Thanh Tu, leader of the group that volunteered to protect the langurs, shared: “It is much easier to see and take pictures of langurs in the limestone mountains of Tuyen Hoa. Unlike many places, guests wait forever and do not see them. langurs, in Tuyen Hoa, visitors can observe the langurs every day (but must make an appointment in advance), we will introduce and guide you so that you are not disappointed. In the morning, the langurs go to search for food until 7 am, the langurs return to the cave to rest, in the afternoon, at about 4 pm they come out of the cave to look for food, at dusk they return, and in winter, they come out of the cave later. and come back earlier. Not only watching them fly, visitors can also watch the langurs in the caves where they live through binoculars. Recently, tourists as well as research groups come here more and more, In 2020, there are more than 100 turns of people coming here to study, learn, discover and take pictures of the white-necked langur.” Solutions for sustainable development Mr. Cao Xuan Binh, Chairman of Thach Hoa Commune People’s Committee, said that the locality is currently orienting to develop community-based tourism and experience tourism in order to change industries and increase income for people. However, the government as well as the people have no experience in tourism, so there are still many difficulties and obstacles. In particular, people’s thoughts are still heavy on agricultural production, do not dare to invest boldly to develop tourism. Besides, financial capacity, experience in tourism, attracting investment enterprises… are also difficulties of the locality in developing community-based tourism. According to Mr. Nguyen The Son, Head of the Tuyen Hoa District Forest Protection Department, in order to promote the tourism potential of localities as well as find directions for sustainable tourism development, it is necessary to continue promoting the core role of the group. voluntary conservation and local people, thereby, regularly patrolling, monitoring and preventing the risk of affecting the life of white-necked langurs and surrounding habitats. At the same time, it is necessary to regularly organize training programs to raise people’s awareness about conserving the white-necked langur population, their habitat and biodiversity conservation. In particular, if tourism is to be developed, it is necessary to plan tourist routes and spots, not arbitrarily organize to affect the habitat of white-necked langurs, on the contrary, need the coordination of scientists to separate herds when they grow in large numbers, avoiding affecting production and people’s lives. In addition, it is necessary to recognize the legality so that the voluntary conservation group can safely patrol and protect the forest and guide tourists to visit in accordance with the law. Le The Luc, Deputy Director of the Department of Tourism, said that in order to diversify tourism products to contribute to socio-economic development, localities need to continue to strictly protect white-necked langurs and mammals. rare species through training to raise awareness for the community in biodiversity conservation, along with behaviors in approaching tourism, protecting, preserving and embellishing the value of historical relics, focus on promoting the image, natural landscape, tourism potential. In particular, it is necessary to gradually carry out market research and visitor tastes, develop suitable tourism products, and improve service quality for tourists when visiting. The fact that Tuyen Hoa district has preserved and protected the rare langur herd, preserving the habitat and environment not only for the langurs but also for monkeys and other wild animals is precious. However, in order to develop tourism as a new direction, taking advantage of the existing strengths and potentials, the local government and the people here need the attention of the departments, agencies, organizations, the investment. Investment of businesses to sustainably protect the ecosystem, build infrastructure for tourism, widely propagate and promote the image for domestic and foreign tourists to know.