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Ba
Be Lake
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Location:
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22°24'N, 105°37'E; approximately 5 km from Cho Ra District Town, Cho Ra District, Cao Bang Province. |
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Area:
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450 ha. |
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Altitude:
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250-300m. |
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Biogeographical
Province:
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4.10.4. |
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Wetland
type:
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14. |
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Description
of site:
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A freshwater lake in a limestone mountain area; the only significant natural mountain lake in Vietnam. The lake is 8 km long and up to 0.8 km wide; the average depth varies from 17m to 23m, and the maximum depth is 29m. The surrounding limestone hills rise to peaks at 570-893m. The lake is connected to the Nang River by a channel; at high water levels during the rainy season, the lake drains into river via this channel, while during the dry season, water flows from the river into the lake. In the hills to the northwest of the lake, there is a famous series of waterfalls, Dau Dang, stretching for about 10 km. There are also many caves and grottos in the area, the most famous being Phuong Grotto. |
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Climatic
conditions:
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Tropical monsoonal climate. |
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Principal
vegetation:
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No information is available on the aquatic vegetation. The lake is surrounded by tropical rain forest, some of which remains in good condition. |
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Land
tenure:
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People's Committee of Cho Ra District. |
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Conservation
measures taken:
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In 1985, the Government decided to designate the lake and its environs as a National Park. The Ministry of Forestry and the Natural Resources and Environmental Centre are currently working together on a management plan for the park. The bunting of animals and cutting of trees are strictly prohibited. |
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Conservation
measures proposed:
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Environmental education must be promoted in the region if the level of poaching is to be reduced. |
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Land
use:
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Aquaculture is permitted on a limited scale at the lake. Tourism will be developed in the area in the near future. |
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Possible
changes in land use:
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| Disturbances and threats: | The most serious threat is illegal hunting. Some protective measures have already been taken, but these are not as yet fully effective. |
| Economic and social values: | The lake is of considerable importance for the local communities as it regulates water supply to the entire region. It is set amidst spectacular mountain scenery and thus has considerable potential for both national and international tourism. Plans have already been made to develop the area for tourism, which should enhance the income of the local people. |
| Fauna: | The fish fauna includes 17 native species, four of which are of economic value. Approximately 100 species of birds and 30 species of mammals have been recorded in the area, including several rare and endemic species. Pheasants of the genus Lophura, Green Peafowl Pavo muticus, gibbons Nycticebus sp. and Francois Leaf Monkey Presbytis francoisi may still be present. |
| Special floral values: | Ba Be Lake is the only mountain lake in Vietnam, and possesses a flora junique at national level. |
| Research and facilities: | Some preliminary faunal surveys have been carried out in the area. |
| References: | Nguyen Van Hao (1964). |
| Criteria for inclusion: | 1a, 2a, 2b. |
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Source:
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Le Dien Duc. |