COMMUNICATION ON BIODIVERSITY: PROMOTING COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION IN CONSERVATION AT EA SÔ
Ea Sô Nature Reserve (over 26,800 ha), located in the transitional zone between the South Central Coast and the Central Highlands, is home to a rich assemblage of flora and fauna, including many endemic and rare species.
A 2025 survey conducted by Center for Nature Conservation and Development (CCD) in collaboration with the Ea Sô Nature Reserve Management Board recorded numerous endangered and critically threatened species such as: silver-backed chevrotain, gaur, banteng, Indochinese silvered langur, black-shanked douc, green peafowl, lesser fish eagle, Dak Lak narrow-mouth frog, along with valuable plant species such as Dalbergia cochinchinensis (Siamese rosewood) and Dalbergia oliveri (Burmese rosewood).
This biodiversity richness not only highlights the exceptional value of Ea Sô but also poses significant challenges for management and protection in the face of pressures from hunting, resource extraction, and unsustainable use in the buffer zone.
To enhance community participation in conservation efforts, CCD has worked with the Reserve Management Board and local authorities in buffer zone communes to implement an environmental communication program, including:
- Training in communication skills for reserve staff
- Implementing a long-term communication program in buffer zone villages
The program aims to:
- Raise awareness
- Foster community pride in their natural heritage
- Emphasize the indispensable role of local communities in safeguarding and restoring biodiversity.
This marks the first comprehensive communication program on biodiversity conservation at Ea Sô. CCD is committed to continuing its support, expanding activities to all buffer zone villages, and contributing to strengthening community knowledge, responsibility, and action in protecting, preserving, and promoting the unique natural values of Ea Sô.