Cham Chu Proposed Nature Reserve
| Alternative site name(s) None Province(s) Tuyen Quang Area 58,187 ha Coordinates 22°04' - 22°21'N, 104°53' - 105°14'E Agro-ecological zone North-eastern Decreed by government No Management board established No |
Investment plan prepared No VCF eligibility criteria met A, B Social screening criteria met None Conservation needs assessment prepared No Operational management plan prepared No Tracking tool completed No Yes |
Management history
Cham Chu is not listed on any government decision regarding the national Special-use Forests system (MARD 1997). However, an investment plan for Cham Chu proposed nature reserve has been prepared by Tuyen Quang Provincial FPD. The total area of the proposed nature reserve given in this investment plan is 58,187 ha, comprising a strict protection area of 17,904 ha and a forest rehabilitation area of 40,283 ha. The investment plan has not yet been approved at the provincial or national level, and a management board has not yet been established (Tuyen Quang Provincial FPD in litt. 2000). Cham Chu is, however, included on a list of Special-use Forests to be established by the year 2010, prepared by the FPD of MARD, as a 58,187 ha nature reserve (FPD 2003); this list has not yet been approved by the government.
Topography and hydrology
Cham Chu proposed nature reserve is located in Chiem Hoa and Ham Yen districts, Tuyen Quang province. The proposed nature reserve is centred on Mount Cham Chu, which, at 1,587 m, is the highest point in Tuyen Quang province. Near Mount Cham Chu, there are several other peaks above 1,000 m, although most of the proposed nature reserve is below 800 m in elevation. In the south-west of the proposed nature reserve, about 8 km from Mount Cham Chu, there is a large area of limestone karst, which is bisected by the Lo river.
The west of the proposed nature reserve is drained by the Lo river, while the east is drained by the Gam river, which joins the Lo river upstream of Tuyen Quang town. The Lo river joins the Red River at Viet Tri town.
Biodiversity values
In November 1999, Fauna & Flora International (FFI) and the Institute of Ecology and Biological Resources conducted a rapid survey in Trung Ha and Ha Lang communes, Chiem Hoa district (Dang Ngoc Can and Nguyen Truong Son 1999). This survey concentrated on the endemic and critically endangered Tonkin Snub-nosed Monkey Rhinopithecus avunculus, which, prior to the survey, was only known to survive at Na Hang proposed nature reserve. Based on interview data and the remains of recently hunted animals, the authors estimated that the Cham Chu area may support five groups of Tonkin Snub-nosed Monkey, totalling 75 to 89 animals (Dang Ngoc Can and Nguyen Truong Son 1999). Subsequent surveys have provided additional information about the Tonkin Snub-nosed Monkey population at the site, and confirmed that Cham Chu proposed nature reserve is a globally important site for the conservation of this species.
Cham Chu proposed nature reserve supports lowland evergreen forest, lower montane evergreen forest and limestone forest. Dang Ngoc Can and Nguyen Truong Son (1999) note that, below 500 to 600 m, only secondary forest remains.
Conservation issues
A total of 44,519 people live inside Cham Chu proposed nature reserve. These people belong to the Kinh, Tay, Hmong, Cao Lan, Nung and Hoa ethnic groups. Tuyen Quang Provincial FPD (in litt. 2000) identify the main threats to biodiversity at the site as illegal exploitation of forest products, clearance of forest for agriculture, forest fire and hunting. Hunting is, potentially, the biggest threat to the continued survival of Tonkin Snub-nosed Monkey at the site. Indeed, Dang Ngoc Can and Nguyen Truong Son (1999) received reports of five animals being hunted there between 1998 and 1999.
Other documented values
No information.
Related projects
Allwetter Zoo and the Zoological Society for the Conservation of Species and Populations are currently implementing a series of activities at Cham Chu proposed nature reserve, aimed at conserving the population of Tonkin Snub-nosed Monkey.
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 is not under appropriate conservation management.
| Criterion |
Eligibility |
| AI |
NH2 - Northern Highlands Limestone |
| AII |
|
| BI |
Proposed Special-use Forest |
| BII |
Nature Reserve |
| BIII |
Under provincial management |
| CI |
|
| CII |
Social screening requirements
A social screening report has not been prepared for the site.
| Criterion |
Eligibility |
| A |
|
| B |
|
| C |
|
| D |
Literature sources
Dang Ngoc Can and Nguyen Truong Son (1999) [Report of a field survey for Tonkin Snub-nosed Monkey (Rhinopithecus avunculus Dollman, 1912) in Bac Kan, Thai Nguyen and Tuyen Quang provinces]. Hanoi: Institute of Ecology and Biological Resources. In Vietnamese.
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