The Chu Yang Sin Nature Reserve was converted to the Chu Yang Sin National Park by Prime Minister Decision No. 92/2002/QD-TTg, with the primary goals being the preservation of rare and threatened plant and animal species as well as the protection of forest ecosystems. Chu Yang Sin National Park is situated in the province of Đắk Lắk. The National Park spans 58,947 ha in total and is divided into three functional zones: 19,401 ha for environmental conservation, 39,526 ha for ecological rehabilitation, and 20 ha for administrative services. A buffer zone of 183,479 hectares surrounds the park as well, and it is situated in four districts: Lac Duong, Dam Rong (Lâm Đồng), Lac, and Krong Bong (Đắk Lắk).
Situated in the southern Central Highlands, near the end of the Truong Son Mountain, and encompassing the Đà Lạt highland, Chu Yang Sin National Park boasts a multifaceted topography featuring over 40 mountain ranges, abundant forest life, and several interconnected springs and waterfalls. With the highest mountain summit of 2,442 meters, the Chu Yang Sin divides the national park into its north and south. It flows east-west. Following Ngoc Linh peak in Kon Tum, Chu Yang Sin peak was dubbed the second roof of the Central Highland.
With 887 vascular plants divided into 140 families and 591 genera, the National Park boasts a special and unique flora ecosystem. Of these, 81 rare and threatened species are listed in both the World Red Book and the Viet Nam Red Book.
With nine forest types formed in the seasonal tropical climate, the Chu Yang Sin National Park has a relatively diverse ecosystem, which are:
– tropical moist rain evergreen close forest; low mountainous sub-tropical rain evergreen close forest.
– medium high mountainous sub-tropical moist rain evergreen close forest.
– sub-tropical dry coniferous scattered forest, half deciduous evergreen forest, monoculture bamboo forest, shrubs and scattered timber trees.
Of flora species, there are more than 300 medicinal plants, 97 species can be used for food, 288 species used for ornamental purposes.
With 515 species, including 64 mammals, 258 birds, 81 fish, 248 day butterflies, 54 amphibians, and 58 reptiles, the National Park’s fauna system is likewise incredibly diversified. 68 of these species are in danger of going extinct. Many of these species are listed in both the World and the Viet Nam Red Books, including: Quạ khách đuôi cờ (Temnurus temnurus), ếch cây (Rhacophoridae), tiger, gaur, Asian golden cat, black-shanked douc, yellow-cheeked gibbon, collared laughing thrush, giant kingfisher, great hornbill, white-crowned hornbill, khách đuôi cờ (Temnurus temnurus), and black-shanked douc, among many others.
In addition to the breathtaking natural scenery, the Park features distinctive cultural traits from the 25 ethnic minority groups who call the buffer zone home. Out of them, Ìđê and M’Nông are the two indigenous groups; the others are Mường, H’ Mông, Tày, Thái, and Nùng. moved from the northern provinces in the 1980s, resulting in the creation of a vibrant cultural landscape, with the Central Highlands gong culture—a compassionate, non-material cultural legacy and historical epics—being a standout example.
But in recent times, the buffer zone’s growing population—which, according to statistics, already numbers over 80,000 individuals (21,000 households)—has put the National Park’s natural resources in danger. The primary sources of income for the locals who live in the buffer zone are the natural resources that are available and agricultural output. The forest ecology is severely deteriorating as a result of illegal logging, slash and burn farming, and wildlife poaching; this results in a reduction in the natural forest area, which affects wildlife habitat loss, especially for tigers, elephants, and gaurs.
The National Park Management Board has actively worked with organizations, forest owners, and communities to patrol the forest in order to improve management and preservation. 420 people were driven out of the forest in 2015 thanks to the 484 short- and long-term patrols that were conducted. Additionally, 22 violation cases were found, 2 electric saws, 1 animal, 722 trap lines, 23 hunting firearms, 17 tools and vehicles, and 13 camps were destroyed.
Furthermore, in accordance with Decree No. 99/2010/ND-CP on payment for forest environmental services, the National Park has contracted more than 21,000 households in the buffer zone to implement forest management and protection. This has resulted in an amount of 5,844,285,000 dong, which has helped to improve forestry socialization and lessen local pressure towards forest protection and sustainable development.
Additionally, the National Park has established a variety of ecotourism activities in recent years, including as rock visits, waterfall hikes, and hiking to the highest mountain peak, thanks to its favorable natural and climatic circumstances. These activities help to enhance the lifestyles of locals and raise revenue. In addition, visitors can camp, see wildlife in the evenings in the pine forests, go on safari, and take a bath in Dac Gui spring. In the near future, Đắk Lắk tourism will investigate several natural and exciting tour options within the National Park and link the Park with numerous other routes and locations throughout the province, including Lac Lake, the Krong Kmar waterfall, and the Dac Tuor cave.
