Muong Phang Cultural and Historical Site
| Alternative site name(s) None Province(s) Lai Chau Area 1,000 ha Coordinates 21°27'N, 103°09'E Agro-ecological zone North-western Decreed by government Yes Management board established No |
Investment plan prepared No VCF eligibility criteria met None Social screening criteria met None Conservation needs assessment prepared No Operational management plan prepared No Tracking tool completed No Yes |
Management history
Muong Phang was included on Decision No. 194/CT of the Chairman of the Council of Ministers, dated 9 August 1986, as a 1,000 ha cultural and historical site (MARD 1997). A Special-use Forest management board has never been established for the site (Lai Chau Provincial FPD in litt. 2003). However, in 1994, a six-person protection group was established with funding from Lai Chau Provincial Department of Culture and Information. The cultural and historical site is situated within Dien Bien Forest Enterprise, and covers around c.200 ha, of which c.150 ha is forested (Nguyen Duc Tu in litt. 2000).
Muong Phang is not included on a list of Special-use Forests to be established by the year 2010, prepared by the FPD of MARD (FPD 2003).
Topography and hydrology
Muong Phang Cultural and Historical Site is situated in an area of low hills in the Muong Phang valley. The site is surrounded by a landscape of bare hills, human settlements and paddyfields. A small river runs through the site.
Biodiversity values
In the early part of the 20th century, the site supported good quality lower montane evergreen forest. However, after 1954, a forest enterprise began logging operations in the area, with the result that, today, most of the forest has been cleared. Of the c.150 ha of forest at the site, only about 30 ha are in a good condition. Faunal diversity at the site is low, and only common species, such as squirrels, Red Muntjac Muntiacus muntjak and Red Junglefowl Gallus gallus, are reported to occur by the protection group (Nguyen Duc Tu in litt. 2000).
Conservation issues
The forest management regulations at Muong Phang Cultural and Historical Site prohibit timber extraction, firewood collection and livestock grazing. These regulations are enforced by the protection group (Nguyen Duc Tu in litt. 2000).
Other documented values
Muong Phang Cultural and Historical Site has historical, tourism and educational values. The site protects the base of General Vo Nguyen Giap, the commander-in-chief of the Viet Minh forces during the Dien Bien Phu campaign of 1954. The site is only 40 km from Dien Bien Phu town, and access by road is good. The landscape of Muong Phang is very beautiful, comprising a large lake, surrounded by forest. The site attracts both domestic and overseas visitors, and has high potential to attract increasing numbers of visitors in the future (Nguyen Duc Tu in litt. 2000).
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
Muong Phang is ineligible for VCF support because it does not meet the criteria for supporting forest biodiversity of international importance. In addition, Muong Phang is a cultural and historical site, and it is not under appropriate conservation management.
| Criterion |
Eligibility |
| AI |
|
| AII |
|
| BI |
Decision No. 194/CT, dated 09/08/86 |
| BII |
|
| 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
Vietnam News (2001) Fighting hard to give a heroic past its due. Vietnam News 6 May 2001.
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