Nui Ong Natural Reserve (originally Biển Lạc Natural Reserve) are established by Decision No. 14 / TTg dated 19/10/1992 of the Prime Minister. This is a place with high biodiversity with many rare animals and plants. It is one of the priority areas in the Truong Son Mountain Range Conservation Program with many important vegetation types such as lowland evergreen tropical evergreen forest, lowland evergreen tropical lowland forest, high mountain. Because of that importance, the management and protection of the forest at Nui Ong Nature Reserve is important not only for the conservation of biodiversity, but also for its important role in regulating climate, soil protection, erosion control, limiting the destructive power of natural disasters, minimizing the sources of environmental pollution, ensuring the sustainability of economic development in the region.
Recently, Nui Ong Natural Reserve got many problems in the forest management especially encroaching forest for agricultural activities. This project is necessary to establish the basis for the establishment of a mechanism for forest restoration in the area of encroached land for perennial industrial crops and food production that contributes to sustainable development and protection. Nui Ong Special-use Forest, improving the livelihoods of people living in the buffer zone.
The project was implemented with the objective of "Piloting forest management co-management, sharing benefits among stakeholders (government/forest owners and community/people) to contribute to forest management. Specialized in Nui Ong Natural Reserve in a sustainable and effective way. " In order to meet the objectives, the consultant has implemented the following contents:
- Current status of forest land encroachment
- Characteristics of the status of cultivars on forest land being encroached upon and selection of indigenous species for forest restoration
- Design of indigenous tree species for restoration of forest on special-use forest land
- Design and operation of forest co-management models among stakeholders
- Solution
- Summary of investment and economic efficiency
As a result of the project, the area of forest land illegally encroached in previous years in Nui Ong Nature Reserve is 1,045.87 ha, of which 245.39 hectares of cashew and rubber plantations and 800.48 hectares Maize Cassava, Maize, Beans. Based on the results of the assessment of the status of cultivated land on forestry land and the selection of indigenous species for forest restoration, the consultant proposed four indigenous tree species including Ươi, Trám trắng, Thanh trà, Sa nhân. Based on the results of potential analysis of natural conditions, socio-economic conditions, forest, and forest land potential, diversity of indigenous tree species, the project used the consultative method and stakeholders include: DARD, Forest Protection Sub-department, Nui Ong Nature Reserve Management Board, departments of Tánh Linh district, Hàm Thuận Nam district, Commune People's Committees and local people in the buffer zone to identify some models for restoring the forest with indigenous species.


Pictures of the project consultative conference at the meeting hall of Tanh Linh district People's Committee dated 15/01/2018
The models were synthesized according to the following characteristics: Site characteristics, Plant species, Planting method, Planting density, Planting method, Vegetation treatment method, Soil treatment method, Planting time, seedling planting standards, planting techniques, planting miles, model care, pest and protection.
Two proposed models:
+ Model 1: A planting model for Ươi, Thanh trà, Sa nhân on bare land, agricultural land.
+ Model 2: A model for replanting trees under the perennial crops (rubber, cashew).
Some simulation images of the models:
Stimulating the planting model for Ươi, Thanh trà, Sa nhân on bare land, agricultural land.
Stimulating the model for replanting trees under the perennial crops (rubber, cashew).
The consultants have provided solutions for implementation: organization, management, and technology; policy mechanisms; science, technology, training, and forestry extension; mobilize capital. In order to have an objective view on the economic efficiency of the models, the consultants have synthesized the investment and economic efficiency.) The basis for determining capital requirements is based on the current regulations and the situation. In fact, capital needs for key activities in the pilot project to plant indigenous species for restoration of forests in Nui Ong Natural Reserve.
As predicted, models of native tree species for restoration of forest at Nui Ong NR will bring high economic efficiency: model 1 can bring economic efficiency from 12-13 million VND / ha/year; model 2 also brings about additional income of 7.5 million VND / ha/year by utilizing the land under the canopy to grow the seedlings. Economic efficiency from the model is increasing after 10 years of for Ươi, after 6 years for Thanh trà and after 3 years for Sa nhân. Because these species will increase yield and stability. The economic benefits from these models are many times higher than the current forest management and protection (about 200,000 VND / ha/year).
The result of the project is an important scientific and practical basis for local authorities to develop a mechanism for forest restoration in the area of encroached land for perennial industrial crops and food production. protection and sustainable development of the Nui Ong Special-use Forest, improving the livelihoods of the people living in the buffer zone.