[Report Che Tao - Yen Bai in English. Full report 163KB. pdf format]

This report presents the results of a rapid biodiversity survey of Che Tao commune, Mu Cang Chai district, Yen Bai province, conducted by the BirdLife International Vietnam Programme and the Fauna & Flora International (FFI) Indochina Programme, as part of the Danida-funded project Improved conservation planning through institutional strengthening in Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam.

Aim and objectives

The aim of the rapid biodiversity survey was to assess whether or not Che Tao commune and the surrounding area qualified as an Important Bird Area (IBA). IBAs are areas of international importance for bird conservation that meet internationally recognised criteria. IBAs are not only important for birds, but typically support a wide range of other important animal and plant species.

The specific objectives of the survey were to:
• collect data on the status and distribution of bird species at Che Tao, particularly globally threatened and restricted range species;
• collect data on the status and distribution of primate species at Che Tao, particularly Phayre's Langur Trachypithecus phayrei;
• collect data on the status and distribution of reptile and amphibian species at Che Tao.

All data collected during the survey contributed to the feasibility study for the establishment of a protected area at Che Tao, currently being prepared by the FFI Indochina Programme.

Study area
The study area was centred on Che Tao commune (21°37' to 21°46'N by 103°55' to 104°09'E) but also included an adjacent forest area in Muong La district, Son La province. Six days were spent surveying forest in the Nang Lu valley, which lies in Muong La district, and along the ridge to the north of this valley, which forms the border between Yen Bai and Son La provinces. A further four days were spent in areas of scrub and agricultural land around Phin Ho and Na Hang villages, Che Tao commune, and Nga Ba Kim village, Pung Luong commune.

[Report Che Tao - Yen Bai in English. Full report 163KB. pdf format]