New book details fight against encroachment into Sơn Trà Nature Reserve

HCM CITY – A new book highlighting the history and rich bio-diversity of the Sơn Trà Nature Reserve and public efforts to take on developers and other encroachers there was released on Thursday in HCM City.

Ký Sự Sơn Trà (Notes of Sơn Trà) has been written by Đà Nẵng’s Bùi Công Dụng, 67, who has previously published five books, three on anti-corruption.

To give a brief background, for the last 20 years development has encroached on the Sơn Trà reserve, and Dụng said the book focuses on efforts made by generations of people in Đà Nẵng to protect the unique, richly bio-diverse Sơn Trà Peninsula during war and peace.

It also describes how locals have taken on property developers seeking to exploit the natural resources in the reserve, which is home to more than 1,300 critically endangered red-shanked douc langurs.

On the sidelines of the book launch at Nguyễn Văn Bình Book Street in District 1, a photo exhibition on the langurs was also held.

The 40 photos on show were selected from 5,000 shot by photographer Lê Phước Chín.

The Sơn Trà Nature Reserve has 300 animal and 1,000 plant species. Since 1977 it has shrunk from more than 4,400ha to 2,500ha to make room for dozens of resorts and hotels.

Josh Kempinski, director of Fauna and Flora International, said in the book’s foreword: “With its rich biodiversity, Sơn Trà is really a unique place in the world that Đà Nẵng should protect. The city could develop tourism from the rich bio-diversity and sustainable development of the reserve. All actions and activities in the area must respect the natural value and the interaction of people and nature.” — LV