An Assessment of Impacts of Local Communities on the Habitat of the Tonkin Snub-nosed Monkey (Rhinopithecus avunculus) Population in Quan Ba District, Ha Giang Province

Abstract

The population of the Tonkin Snub-nosed Monkey (Rhinopithecus avunculus) in Cao - Ta - Tung forest of Quan Ba district, Ha Giang province is approximately from 10 to 20 individuals. Because the distribution of this population is located outside of a special-use forest, the habitat of the species is fragmented and continuing to decline due to agricultural expansion and human disturbance. The research results showed that the main livelihood of local people is growing corn and cardamom. There are still activities of forest product exploitation, mainly for firewood. Five major threats to the population of Rhinopithecus avunculus in Cao - Ta - Tung forest are hunting activities, timber logging, non-timber forest product exploitation, deforestation for farming, and cardamom cultivation. The activities of local people in Va Thang 2, Ta Van and Chong Chai villages have a very high level of threat, while Cha Phin and Ban Thang villages have a high level of threat. The expansion of the planting area of cardamom (Amomum tsao) under the forest canopy by local people has made the forest area shrink, which has seriously affected the habitat of the population. In order to protect the habitat and population of the Tonkin Snub-nosed Monkey in Quan Ba district, the following conservation measure should be considered: i) Establish the Quan Ba Tonkin Snub-nosed Monkey Species and Habitat Conservation Area; ii) Take measures to prevent the expansion of cardamom cultivation under the forest canopy; iii) Enhance communication to raise public awareness on this species protection, forest protection as well as biodiversity conservation; and iv) Develop livelihood models for local communities to improve living standards and reduce pressure on forests.