VI
NATURE THRIVES WHEN
COMMUNITIES LEAD
Deep in the forests of Chư Yang Sin National Park, the rhythmic sound of footsteps echoes through the ancient trees. These footsteps belong not only to rangers tasked with protecting the park but also to members of the H’Mong community, once hunters, now turned guardians of the land. Their journey – from relying on the forest for survival to actively protecting it – is at the heart of WildAct’s mission to empower local and ethnic minority communities in biodiversity conservation.
A PARK IN NEED OF PROTECTORS
Chư Yang Sin is one of Vietnam’s last strongholds for biodiversity in the southern Annamites. Home to critically endangered species like the Large-antlered Muntjac and the Annamite Striped Rabbit, its vast, mountainous terrain is both a sanctuary and a battleground. The park’s rangers, though dedicated, are stretched thin – one ranger is responsible for patrolling nearly 600 hectares of dense forest, facing constant threats from poachers and illegal loggers.
In 2022, a threat survey conducted by WildAct revealed a high density of snares (6.32 snares/km²) in Chư Yang Sin National Park, along with photographic evidence in Bidoup-Núi Bà, suggesting that snaring is also a major threat in the Langbiang Plateau. This highlights the urgent need to reduce hunting pressure to ensure the survival of priority species.
For years, conservation efforts in Vietnam relied heavily on enforcement, yet enforcement alone was not enough. The park simply did not have enough personnel to effectively monitor and protect its vast landscapes. We recognised a critical gap: those who knew the forest best – the local communities – were not yet part of the conservation efforts.
FROM HUNTERS TO THE GUARDIANS
The ethnic H’Mong community, like many others living in the buffer zone of Chư Yang Sin, has long depended on the forest. Many were skilled hunters and gatherers, navigating the dense jungle with an intimate understanding of nature. While their practices were shaped by necessity, some also contributed to biodiversity loss – setting snares, hunting, and logging.
Recent reports have highlighted the increasing number of ethnic minority individuals being arrested for illegal poaching and wildlife trade in Vietnam. In Chư Yang Sin National Park, a ranger was shot multiple times by community members while on patrol, leaving him severely injured and escalating tensions between rangers and local communities. In early 2022, a group of seven rangers was chased and fired upon by five poachers during a patrol. Fortunately, no one was harmed in this incident.
These cases underscore the immense challenges rangers face daily, risking their lives to protect wildlife. They also reveal the broader consequences of illegal hunting – not just the devastating impact on biodiversity, but also the growing conflict it creates within communities, threatening human safety and social stability.
Rather than enforcing rigid restrictions that alienate communities, WildAct saw an opportunity: What if the people who once hunted these forests could be the ones protecting them?
With this vision, WildAct partnered with Chư Yang Sin National Park and local authorities to train and empower ethnic minority communities as conservation stewards.
MOTIVATING THE GUARDIANS OF THE FOREST
Recognising the immense risks rangers take, WildAct launched the “Guardians of Chư Yang Sin Forest” Award to acknowledge and motivate their efforts. Rangers often work in isolation, facing dangerous conditions with little recognition. Through this initiative, we:
Honor rangers for their dedication in protecting wildlife and forests.
Increase public awareness and appreciation for their work.
Encourage younger generations, including ethnic minority youth, to see conservation as a viable and respected career path.
Additionally, we actively encourage Chư Yang Sin National Park to employ more ethnic minority individuals as rangers, ensuring that local expertise and traditional ecological knowledge become integral parts of conservation efforts.
A COMMUNITY CONSERVATION TEAM (CCT)
Through our innovative Community Conservation Team (CCT) program, local H’Mong men and women were recruited, trained, and equipped to work alongside rangers. These individuals, once outsiders to conservation, have now become essential in wildlife protection efforts.
Train local people in wildlife monitoring, patrol techniques, and biodiversity conservation.
Provide alternative livelihood opportunities to reduce reliance on hunting and deforestation.
Integrate traditional knowledge with scientific conservation methods.
The results have been transformative. Former hunters now track wildlife, remove snares, raise awareness, and report illegal activities. Community members feel a new sense of responsibility and pride, knowing they are shaping the future of their own forests.
EMPOWERING LOCAL PEOPLE = PROTECTING WILDLIFE
By working with ethnic minority groups, we are not just reducing poaching or illegal logging. We are creating a movement where conservation is led by those who live closest to nature. This approach doesn’t just protect species and habitats – it strengthens communities, culture, and local economies. The people of Chư Yang Sin are no longer just residents of the buffer zone; they are conservationists, decision-makers, and guardians of their homeland. Through education, alternative livelihoods, and active participation, WildAct is ensuring that local and ethnic minority communities are not just beneficiaries of conservation – but leaders in it.
274%
More effective in detecting wildlife traps than traditional method.
916%
More successful in uncovering illegal camps than traditional method.
177%
Fewer patrol days than traditional method.
200%
Increase in national and local news appearance over 12-month period.
