Dong Phou Vieng National Protected Area Explained

Dong Phou Vieng National Protected Area is a national protected area in Savannakhet Province in central Laos. This mostly forested park is home to large variety of animal species and contains part of the former Ho Chi Minh trail. The park is home to the Katang ethnic group and is an ecotourism destination.

Geography

Dong Phou Vieng National Protected Area is located about 100km (100miles) east of Savannakhet, near the village of Muang Phin and covers parts of Phin, Xepon and Nong districts. The park's area is 1970km2. Elevations generally range from 200m (700feet) to mountainous areas above 1000m (3,000feet). The park's major mountain peaks are Phou Dotouy at 1254m (4,114feet) and Phou Lapeung Nua at 1122m (3,681feet).

History

In 1995 Dong Phou Vieng National Protected Area initially covered 530km2. This was extended in 1998 to cover the present area of 1970km2.

Flora and fauna

The park's main forest types are semi-evergreen, deciduous dipterocarp and mixed deciduous belonging to the Central Indochina dry forests region. Semi-evergreen forest covers half of the park's area.

Animal species include leaf monkey, gibbon, douc langur, gaur, giant muntjac, dhole, jackal, tiger, pangolin, python and king cobra. Two herds of wild elephants are known in the park.

Bird life includes the oriental pied hornbill, great hornbill, wreathed hornbill,white-rumped vulture and red-headed vulture.

Threats

Dong Phou Vieng faces a number of environmental threats. The most significant is hunting and poaching of animals including endangered species such as pangolin and king cobra. Other threats include destructive fishing practices and expansion of rice paddy fields.