Hon Ba Proposed Nature Reserve
| Alternative site name(s) None Province(s) Khanh Hoa Area 10,895 ha Coordinates 12°02' - 12°15'N, 108°57' - 109°05'E Agro-ecological zone South Central Coast 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
Hon Ba is not included on any government decision or official set of proposals regarding the national protected areas network (MARD 1997, FPD 2003). However, an investment plan to establish a 10,895 ha nature reserve at the site is currently being prepared by Khanh Hoa Provincial FPD (in litt. 2003).
Topography and hydrology
Hon Ba proposed nature reserve is located in Dien Khanh district, Khanh Hoa province. The proposed nature reserve is situated on a ridge of mountains that extends eastwards from the main block of the southern Annamite mountains.
Biodiversity values
During 2003, a biodiversity survey of Hon Ba proposed nature reserve was conducted by the Vietnam-Russia Tropical Centre. While the final results of this survey have not yet been published, the preliminary findings indicate that the site has a number of important biodiversity values. First, the site was found to support a large area of relatively undisturbed primary forest, including formations characterised by the presence of the conifer Fokienia hodginsii. Second, a number of undescribed taxa were discovered, including at least two taxa of butterfly in the Nymphalidae family and one taxon of lizard. Third, a number of globally and/or nationally threatened species were recorded, including the butterfly Teinopalpus aureus aureus and a species of gibbon, presumably Yellow-cheeked Crested Gibbon Hylobates gabriellae (A. Monastyrskii verbally 2004).
Conservation issues
A surfaced road has recently been constructed to the top of the mountain ridge within the proposed nature reserve, where the provincial authorities plan to develop a tourism site, with accommodation and restaurants (A. Monastyrskii verbally 2004). Unless appropriate safeguards are introduced, these developments threaten to place increased pressure on the natural resources of the proposed nature reserve, with potentially serious negative impacts on natural habitats and wildlife populations.
Other documented values
During the French colonial era, Hon Ba was the site of a field research station of the celebrated scientist Dr Alexander Yersin (A. Monastyrskii verbally 2004).
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 not currently eligible for VCF support because it is not under appropriate conservation management.
| Criterion |
Eligibility |
| AI |
SA3 - Southern Annamites Main Montane Block |
| 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
None.
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