THE JOURNEY OF RESTORING DALBERGIA OLIVERI IN DONG NAI CULTURAL AND NATURAL RESERVE

Dong Nai Nature and Culture Reserve, located in Dong Nai Province, covers an area of more than 100,000 hectares and is home to numerous rare, precious, and endangered species of fauna and flora. Among the plant species here, Dalbergia oliveri ranks among the most critically endangered timber species worldwide and is strictly protected under Vietnamese law.

In alignment with the Reserve’s efforts to protect and restore Dalbergia oliveri, Center for Nature Conservation and Development (CCD) is implementing a conservation project for endangered timber species of the Dalbergia genus, including Dalbergia oliveri and Dalbergia cochinchinensis, with financial support from the International Tropical Timber Organization – ITTO.

With the goal of conserving and planting at least 10,000 trees of the two species, this August–September, at the Dong Nai Nature and Culture Reserve, CCD will plant at least 6,000 Dalbergia oliveri trees over an area of approximately 15 hectares. The saplings used for reforestation are at least two years old, over one meter in height, grown from seeds of native genetic origin, and nurtured by local communities living near the Reserve.

Throughout its operations, CCD has been working with various partners to: Restore populations of rosewood species (Dalbergia) in their former habitats; Conserve the genetic resources of endangered native trees; Enrich forest stands and enhance biodiversity values; Reforest and rehabilitate degraded forests using native species; Promote community participation in plant conservation efforts.