Deo Ngoan Muc Nature Reserve
| Alternative site name(s) Bellevue pass, Ngoan Muc pass Province(s) Ninh Thuan and Lam Dong Area 2,000 ha Coordinates 11°50'N, 108°40'E Agro-ecological zone South-eastern Decreed by government Yes 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
Deo Ngoan Muc was included on Decision No. 194/CT of the Chairman of the Council of Ministers, dated 9 August 1986, which decreed the establishment of a 2,000 ha nature reserve (MARD 1997). To date, however, an investment plan has not been prepared for the site, a management board has not been established (Ninh Thuan Provincial FPD in litt. 2003) and the site 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
Deo Ngoan Muc is a pass on the road between Phan Rang town and Da Lat city. Elevations range from under 200 m at the bottom of the pass to 980 m at the top. The nature reserve is located on a steep, east-facing slope. Two water pipes pass through Deo Ngoan Muc, carrying water from Da Nhim reservoir to the hydro-electric power station at the bottom of the pass.
Biodiversity values
Deo Ngoan Muc is located in the transition zone between the southern Annamite mountains and the coastal plain of south-central Vietnam. At lower elevations, the nature reserve supports lowland evergreen forest. While, at higher elevations, towards the top of the pass, the nature reserve supports lower montane evergreen forest. The forest at Deo Ngoan Muc is heavily degraded, and it is unlikely that the site supports populations of many mammal and bird species of high conservation importance.
Conservation issues
Except at low elevations, Deo Ngoan Muc is too steep to be suitable for agriculture. However, the forest has been heavily disturbed as a result of human activity (A. Tordoff pers. obs.). It is probable that much of this disturbance was associated with the construction of the road and two water pipes through the site. Also, the presence of the road facilitates continued exploitation of forest resources. The site is of relatively low conservation importance, and is probably best managed as a cultural and historical site on the basis of its scenic landscape.
Other documented values
The only road between Phan Rang and Da Lat passes through Deo Ngoan Muc. Given the steepness of the pass, loss of forest cover would lead to increased risk of landslides blocking the road. The forest at Deo Ngoan Muc has, therefore, an important role in soil erosion control.
The site has potential for tourism because it has great scenic beauty and many domestic tourists pass through the site en route to or from Da Lat city. On a clear day, it is possible to see the East Sea, 50 km to the south-east (Storey and Robinson 1995).
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
Deo Ngoan Muc 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 |
Decision No. 194/CT, dated 09/08/86 |
| 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
Storey, R. and Robinson, D. (1995) Lonely planet travel survival kit: Vietnam. Third edition.. Hawthorn: Lonely Planet Publications.
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