Exploring biodiversity “treasure trove” in industrial city

Home to diverse forest, lake and wetland ecosystems, Dong Nai City has the largest forest area in the southeastern region and one of the highest forest coverage rates in the country. It is therefore regarded as the “green lungs” of Southern Vietnam. The city is also home to rich biodiversity, including many rare and endangered plant and animal species listed in the Vietnam Red Data Book and the IUCN Red List.

The skeleton of a gaur on display at the animal specimen room of the Dong Nai Nature and Culture Reserve (DNNCR).

As a new growth pole for the country, protecting and effectively harnessing this natural “treasure trove” provides an important foundation for Dong Nai to harmonize industrial and urban development with nature conservation, while pursuing green and sustainable growth.

A biodiversity “treasure trove”

Dong Nai has more than 370,000ha of forests and forestry land, which are home to rich and diverse ecosystems. Among the city's biodiversity hotspots is Cat Tien National Park, one of Vietnam's tropical forests with exceptionally rich biodiversity, home to more than 1,600 plant species and over 1,700 animal species.

The watershed forest ecosystems play an important role in regulating water resources in the Dong Nai River basin, supplying water during the dry season and helping reduce flooding in the rainy season across the Southeastern region.

Numerous rare animal specimens are on display at the animal specimen room of the DNNCR.

The DNNCR covers more than 100,000ha and is one of the core zones of the Dong Nai Biosphere Reserve, which was recognized by UNESCO in 2011. In 2025, it was also recognized as an ASEAN Heritage Park. It is one of the region's special-use forests, with ecosystems characteristic of Southeastern Vietnam.

The reserve is home to more than 1,500 plant species and over 1,800 animal species. Many rare species listed in the Vietnam Red Data Book and the IUCN Red List are strictly protected, including Asian elephants, gaurs, sun bears, clouded leopards, black-shanked doucs and numerous bird species. Notably, the reserve is home to Vietnam's last herd of wild elephants, numbering about 30 individuals.

Nguyen Duc Tu, Deputy Head of the Nature Conservation and Cooperation Division under the DNNCR, said biodiversity conservation is not merely about protecting natural resources, but also provides a foundation for green and sustainable development.

According to Tu, the reserve is implementing a tourism development scheme and calling for investment in ecotourism, resort, and recreational activities suited to the natural characteristics of each area. The core zone is primarily reserved for the conservation of natural resources and biodiversity, while the transition zone encourages ecotourism development in connection with the buffer zone, thereby helping support local production and improve residents' living standards.

In the Northern part of the city, Bu Gia Map National Park covers more than 25,500ha, including over 25,300ha of natural forests, accounting for nearly 99% of the park's total area. The park's humid forest ecosystem, where trees retain much of their foliage even during the dry season, provides favorable habitats for a wide range of wildlife, particularly primates.

The park is home to two distinctive and rare primate species, the black-shanked douc and yellow-cheeked gibbon. Both have high conservation value and are listed among Vietnam's endangered and rare forest species.

A closer look at rare wildlife and plants

To preserve the valuable natural resources it has today, Dong Nai began closing its natural forests to logging in the late 20th century and has remained steadfast in its policy of not sacrificing the environment for economic growth.

As a result, biodiversity in the industrial city is not merely reflected in statistics but can be experienced firsthand in its forests, national parks and nature reserves. Residents and visitors can learn about and observe rare animal and plant species through tours and research activities.

Do Truong Giang, Deputy Director of the Communication, Tourism and Conservation Rescue Center under Bu Gia Map National Park, said biodiversity monitoring is conducted regularly, including the use of infrared camera traps to record the presence and monitor wild animals in the park.

Monitoring has revealed the presence of numerous species of high conservation value at Bu Gia Map National Park, including elephants, gaurs, sun bears, Asiatic black bears and leopards. The use of monitoring equipment provides authorities with a scientific basis for tracking the populations, behavior and distribution of rare and endangered wildlife.

To encourage community participation in balancing nature conservation with economic development and improving livelihoods, Dong Nai has stepped up communication and education to raise awareness of forest and biodiversity protection. Residents in buffer zones, particularly around Cat Tien National Park, Bu Gia Map National Park and the DNNCR, actively participate in voluntary forest protection teams and community-based nature conservation activities.

At the DNNCR, the animal and plant specimen exhibition provides visitors with an opportunity to learn more about the biodiversity of the Ma Da forest. The animal specimen room currently displays more than 1,000 specimens, representing more than 20 mammal species. The plant exhibition area has more than 600 specimens, including many valuable native timber species and characteristic medicinal plants. Highlights include elephant and gaur skeletons, as well as specimens of great hornbills and eagles.

According to Nguyen Duc Tu, the collection of surveyed and catalogued specimens provides an important scientific basis for assessing the current state of biodiversity and identifying species requiring priority protection. This provides a basis for the reserve to develop appropriate measures for managing, protecting, restoring and developing biodiversity, particularly rare animal and plant species.

The reserve is also stepping up the application of science and technology in conservation, investing in equipment such as drones, infrared cameras and thermal cameras to detect rare animals and monitor the movements of elephant herds and other wildlife.

In recent years, forest and biodiversity protection has been carried out in a coordinated manner, in conjunction with the conservation and development of valuable genetic resources in the southeastern region. Numerous programs and projects have also been implemented, including elephant conservation, natural forest restoration, and new forest planting.

By B.Nguyen – Translated by M.Nguyet, Minho