Ninh Binh establishes Kim Bang Delacour’s Langur Species and Habitat Conservation Area

The event was organised by the provincial Department of Agriculture and Environment and attended by Tran Huy Tuan, Member of the Party Central Committee and Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee.

The Delacour’s langur (Trachypithecus delacouri) is an endemic primate species found exclusively in Vietnam. First discovered in 1930, it is classified as Critically Endangered in both the Vietnam Red Data Book and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List. It is also among the world's 25 most endangered primate species.

In the 1990s, approximately 300 individuals of the species lived in around 16 isolated populations. Since then, many populations have disappeared, leaving only five wild populations with an estimated total of around 500 individuals. Ninh Binh is currently home to more than 90% of the remaining wild Delacour’s langurs.

The Kim Bang Delacour’s Langur Species and Habitat Conservation Area was established under Decision No. 3343/QD-UBND dated September 10, 2026, issued by the Ninh Binh Provincial People's Committee.

The conservation area covers a planned total area of 3,182 hectares across Ly Thuong Kiet, Tam Chuc and Nguyen Uy wards. It encompasses an extensive limestone mountain range that provides a unique natural habitat for the Delacour’s langur (Trachypithecus delacouri).

The establishment of the conservation area aims to protect and develop limestone forest ecosystems, conserve endemic, endangered, rare and precious flora and fauna, particularly the Delacour’s langur population, and help safeguard the environment, maintain ecological functions and promote sustainable development in the area.

Its establishment not only addresses urgent ecological needs but also demonstrates Ninh Binh's strong commitment to protecting endangered and rare wildlife.

Under the approved plan, the conservation area is divided into three functional zones: a strictly protected zone covering 1,807.4 hectares; an ecological restoration zone spanning 1,358.8 hectares; and an administrative and service zone covering 15.8 hectares.

Speaking at the ceremony, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People's Committee Tran Anh Dung congratulated and acknowledged the efforts made by the Department of Agriculture and Environment and the provincial Forest Protection and Forestry Sub-Department. He highlighted the exceptional ecological significance of the Delacour’s langur population in Kim Bang, particularly its role in maintaining the species.

He stressed that the establishment of the conservation area represents a concrete step towards implementing the national forestry master plan and the province's sustainable development policy, which seeks to harmonise environmental protection with economic growth.

To ensure effective management and maximise the conservation value of the area, Dung tasked the Department of Agriculture and Environment with taking the lead, in coordination with relevant agencies, in promptly implementing the approved forest management plan. He also called for the application of science and technology to closely monitor langur groups and changes in forest conditions.

The People's Committees of Ly Thuong Kiet, Tam Chuc and Nguyen Uy wards were asked to work closely with forest rangers to strengthen patrols and forest protection, strictly handle violations, and step up public awareness campaigns while linking conservation efforts with sustainable livelihood development for local residents.

Relevant departments and agencies were also urged to tighten controls over construction and mineral extraction activities in adjacent areas to prevent habitat fragmentation, while mobilising and integrating resources for forest protection and development.

The Kim Bang conservation area is a core component of the Van Long Kim Bang Tam Chuc heritage landscape, a dossier currently under UNESCO consideration and evaluation. Accordingly, provincial departments, agencies and local authorities were instructed to coordinate closely with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Vietnam National Commission for UNESCO to ensure thorough and scientifically sound preparations.

Dung called on authorities at all levels, scientists, conservation organisations, businesses and local residents to continue joining hands with the province in protecting and developing the conservation area./.