Nam Ca Nature Reserve
| Alternative site name(s) Nam Ka, Nam Luy, Quang Xuyen Province(s) Dak Lak Area 24,555 ha Coordinates 12°15' - 12°26'N, 107°55' - 108°08'E Agro-ecological zone Central Highlands Decreed by government Yes Management board established Yes |
Investment plan prepared Yes VCF eligibility criteria met B, C Social screening criteria met None Conservation needs assessment prepared No Operational management plan prepared No Tracking tool completed No Yes |
Management history
Nam Ca was included on Decision No. 194/CT of the Chairman of the Council of Ministers, dated 9 August 1986, as a 20,000 ha nature reserve, under the name Quang Xuyen (MARD 1997). An investment plan, prepared by Dak Lak Provincial FPD, was approved by Dak Lak Provincial People's Committee and the former Ministry of Forestry in 1991 (Dak Lak Provincial DARD in litt. 2000). This investment plan gave the total area of the nature reserve as 24,555 ha (MARD 1998). Upon approval of the investment plan, a management board was established by Dak Lak Provincial People's Committee on 15 November 1991 (Dak Lak Provincial DARD in litt. 2000).
According to Dak Lak Provincial DARD (2000 in litt.), the current area of Nam Ca Nature Reserve is 33,555 ha, comprising a strict protection area of 17,700 ha, a forest rehabilitation area of 6,125 ha, and an administration and services area of 9,530 ha. In addition, there is a buffer zone of 8,400 ha. Currently, Nam Ca Nature Reserve is under the management of Dak Lak Provincial DARD (in litt. 2000). Nam Ca Nature Reserve is included on a list of Special-use Forests to be established by the year 2010, prepared by the FPD of MARD, with an area of 24,555 ha (FPD 2003); this list has not yet been approved by the government.
Topography and hydrology
Nam Ca Nature Reserve is located in Lak and Krong No districts, Dak Lak province. The nature reserve is situated in a mountainous area. Elevations within the nature reserve range from about 430 m, in the north-west, up to 1,294 m, at the summit of Mount Nam Ca in the south-east. In the west of the nature reserve, there is a series of natural lakes, the largest of which is Ea R'Bine lake. These lakes feed the Krong river, a tributary of the Srepok river.
Biodiversity values
According to Pham Trong Anh et al. (1990), forest is distributed at elevations above about 500 m, and covers 75% of the nature reserve. During zoological surveys conducted in 1990 by the Institute of Ecology and Biological Resources, a total of 56 species of mammal, 140 species of bird, 34 species of reptile and 16 species of amphibian were recorded at Nam Ca Nature Reserve. These included a number of globally threatened species, such as Yellow-cheeked Crested Gibbon Hylobates gabriellae and Asian Black Bear Ursus thibetanus (Pham Trong Anh et al. 1990). The current status of these species at the site is, however, unclear.
Conservation issues
According to Dak Lak Provincial DARD (in litt. 2000), the major threats to biodiversity at Nam Ca are timber extraction, hunting and over-exploitation of other forest products. The nature reserve currently has 17 members of staff, based at the headquarters and three guard stations.
Other documented values
No information.
Related projects
No information.
Conservation needs assessment
A conservation needs assessment has not been conducted for the site.
Operational management plan
An operational management plan has not been prepared for the site.
Eligibility against VCF criteria
The site is ineligible for VCF support because it does not meet the criteria for supporting forest biodiversity of international importance.
| Criterion |
Eligibility |
| AI |
|
| AII |
|
| BI |
Decision No. 194/CT, dated 09/08/86 |
| BII |
Nature Reserve |
| BIII |
Under provincial management |
| CI |
Management board established |
| CII |
Social screening requirements
A social screening report has not been prepared for the site.
| Criterion |
Eligibility |
| A |
|
| B |
|
| C |
|
| D |
Literature sources
Pham Trong Anh, Hoang Minh Khien and Le Dinh Thuy (1990) [Wildlife resources in Nam Ca forest, Dak Lak province]. Buon Ma Thuot: Institute of Ecology.
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