In the center of Daknong Province, Nam Nung Forest in Nam Nung mountains (Buffalo’s horn mountains) plays an important role to accommodate the climate of the whole area and to nurturing, preserving the rich and diverse flora and fauna. Most forests in Nam Nung are primary forests comprising subtropical moist evergreen forest (elevation of 1000m-1578m) and tropical moist evergreen forest (elevation <1000m).
Nam Nung Forest is recorded with 881 species, 541 genera, and 175 families of plants. The fauna comprises 297 species, 29 orders and 93 families of vertebrates. It is home to a number of rare and endangered species listed in the Red Book of Vietnam and IUCN, such as Gaur Bos gaurus, Clouded Leopard Neofelis nebulosa, Pig-Tailed Macaque Macaca nemestrina, Stump-Tailed Macaque Macaca arctoides … and other plants, such as Trigonobalanus verticillata, Dalbergia oliveri,…
Besides the biodiversity values, in Nam Nung Forest, there is much geological heritage, including unique morphological landscapes, majestic and poetic waterfalls, rocky heritage including tektite – a unique type of geological heritage, reflecting the complex geological history in Dak Nong UNESCO Global Geopark. In the center (core portion) of the Forest is Nam JerBri Mount with its peak of 1,578m in height above the sea level.
Nam Nung Forest is also the long-standing homeland of M’Nong people – where keeps many unique tangible and intangible cultural heritage resources. During the war with French and American troops, many leaders of M’Nong tribe chose this forest as the base for their army and soldiers. Especially, this was a secret resistance base of Vietnam troops and the headquarter of Quang Duc province (former of Dak Nong province). In addition, this forest also provides locals with materials for home-building (such as: wood, bamboo, etc), hunting tools, instruments, many kind of cuisine as well as art performance space for some typical festivals.
This pathway through Nam Nung Nature forest allows visitors to know more about geological and biodiversity values as well as indigenous M’nong traditional culture while enjoying refreshing and poetic landscape of the mountains.
