Copia Proposed Nature Reserve
| Alternative site name(s) None Province(s) Son La Area 19,353 ha Coordinates 21°17' - 21°25'N, 103°32' - 103°44'E Agro-ecological zone North-western Decreed by government No Management board established Yes |
Investment plan prepared Yes VCF eligibility criteria met B, C Social screening criteria met None Conservation needs assessment prepared No Operational management plan prepared No Tracking tool completed No Yes |
Management history
Copia is not included on any government decision or official set of proposals regarding the national Special-use Forests system (MARD 1997, FPD 2003). However, an investment plan to establish a 19,353 ha nature reserve at the site was prepared by Son La Provincial FPD in 2002 (Son La Provincial FPD 2002). Later in 2002, the investment plan was approved by Son La Provincial People's Committee, and a management board was established, following Decision No. 3440/QD-UB. The management board currently has 20 members of staff, based at four guard stations, and is under the management of Son La Provincial FPD (Nguyen Van Luan, Son La Provincial FPD in litt. 2002)
Topography and hydrology
Copia proposed nature reserve is located in Thuan Chau district, Son La province. The proposed nature reserve is centred on Mount Copia, a 1,800 m peak.
Biodiversity values
Copia proposed nature reserve supports around 12,000 ha of natural forest, mostly lower montane evergreen forest. There is little additional information available about the biodiversity values of the proposed nature reserve.
Conservation issues
The major threats to biodiversity at the proposed nature reserve are reported to be agricultural encroachment and hunting (S. Swan in litt. 2003). Little forest remains at lower elevations within the nature reserve, apparently as a result of clearance for shifting cultivation.
Other documented values
Son La Provincial FPD are considering developing the site for ecotourism, along the lines of Ba Vi and Tam Dao National Parks (S. Swan in litt. 2003).
Related projects
There exists a plan to implement a government-funded pilot rural development project at the site, focussing on sedentarised Hmong communities (S. Swan in litt. 2003).
Conservation needs assessment
A conservation needs assessment has not been conducted for the site.
Operational management plan
An operational management plan has not been prepared for the site.
Eligibility against VCF criteria
Copia is ineligible for VCF support because it does not meet the criteria for supporting forest biodiversity of international importance.
| Criterion |
Eligibility |
| AI |
|
| AII |
|
| BI |
Proposed Special-use Forest |
| BII |
Nature Reserve |
| BIII |
Under provincial management |
| CI |
Management board established |
| CII |
Social screening requirements
A social screening report has not been prepared for the site.
| Criterion |
Eligibility |
| A |
|
| B |
|
| C |
|
| D |
Literature sources
Son La Provincial FPD (2002) [Investment plan to protect and develop Copia Nature Reserve, Son La province]. Son La: Son La Provincial Forest Protection Department. In Vietnamese.
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