Chua Mountain Biodiversity Reserve of Ninh Thuan province is located about 20 km to the north of Phan Rang - Thap Cham city, with a total area of over 100,000 ha (including the mainland and coastal waters) divided into 03 regions, namely: core zone, buffer zone and transition zone. Its main functions are to preserve, develop and support educational and cultural research. This area has a particularly rich natural ecosystem, including rare species of animals and plants, and a natural landscape with distinctive features of the arid central coastal climate. It is very advantageous for developing tourism and marine economy, while holding an important position in terms of national defence and security as located in the coastal defence posture of the province and the South Central region.
Chua Mountain owes its special biodiversity to its unique geographical location and harsh climatic conditions with an average annual rainfall of about 700-800 mm and hot weather all year round. According to scientific studies, Chua Mountain Biosphere Reserve is home to as many as 765 species of animals, more than 1,500 species of plants; in which 46 species of animals and 54 species of rare plants are recorded in the Vietnam Red Book and the IUCN Red List. In particular, many species are currently under special conservation, such as: sun bear, fire leopard, long-tailed macaque, pig-tailed macaque, chamois, deer, red-cash chicken, golden mountain turtle, etc. In addition to the biodiversity on land, the waters of Chua Mountain Biosphere Reserve also see diverse coral reefs with about 350 species. Moreover, sea turtles also come to breed at this sea, which is currently being strictly protected by the Management Board of the Biosphere Reserve. Thanks to its particularly important potential and unique biodiversity, in 2021, Chua Mountain was recognised by UNESCO as the World Biosphere Reserve.
Besides the biodiversity, this place is also featured by tangible and intangible cultural values of the indigenous peoples, especially the Cham culture. The mysterious Cham towers associated with the festivals of the Cham people and the unique folk music and dance art in the sound of Ghinang and Paranung drums, Apsara dances; My Nghiep brocade weaving village, the long-established Bau Truc pottery village, ... are being strictly preserved and strongly promoted, which drives tourists come to visit, learn, study, experience. This helps bring a sustainable income for local people in the region.
Located in the national marine spatial planning and the overall socio-economic development of Ninh Thuan province, with practical and effective solutions, in the near future, Chua Mountain Biosphere Reserve will see more and more developments, especially the conservation of biodiversity, ensuring sustainable and green economic growth together with consolidating and strengthening the all-people defence posture in association with the people's security posture in the region, contributing to the successful implementation of Resolution No. 36-NQ/TW, dated 22 October 2018 of the Party Central Committee (12th tenure) on the Strategy for sustainable development of Vietnam's marine economy to 2030, with a vision to 2045.
CAO VUONG