Meeting the stringent criteria for designation as a Ramsar site, Ba Be National Park, nestled in Bac Kan Province, earned its esteemed title as the 1,938th Ramsar site on February 2, 2011. Ba Be Lake, a Gem of Nature.
This recognition marked the third Ramsar site in Vietnam, following the footsteps of Xuan Thuy National Park in Nam Dinh Province and Cat Tien National Park in Dong Nai Province.
Ba Be Lake
Situated 68 kilometers northwest of Bac Kan Township and 250 kilometers north of Hanoi, Ba Be National Park sprawls across 10,000 hectares, boasting all the quintessential features of a northeastern Vietnamese forest enveloped by limestone, with Ba Be Lake reigning as its centerpiece.
Perched at approximately 150 meters above sea level, Ba Be Lake stretches 8 kilometers in length and spans 800 meters in width. It stands as Vietnam’s sole natural mountainous lake, a marvel crafted through limestone formation, perpetually brimming with water. Thus, it stands as one of the world’s most unique natural freshwater locales.
The lake cradles a thriving ecosystem, housing a staggering array of 160 fish species, many of which are endemic and hold significant economic value. Furthermore, Ba Be Lake serves as a sanctuary for diverse avian species, including the elusive white-eared night heron (Gorsachius magnificus), presumed extinct for a quarter-century until its rediscovery by scientists in 2007. Surrounding communities rely on the lake’s aquatic bounty for sustenance, while it also serves as a vital water source.
Recognized as an Important Bird Area by BirdLife International, Ba Be Lake harbors more than one percent of the endangered white-eared night heron population, which boasts a remarkably restricted habitat range spanning semi-tropical regions in China, the Himalayas, and tropical forests in the Indochinese Peninsula.
Acknowledging its ecological significance, Ba Be Lake was designated as one of 20 freshwater lakes necessitating protection at the Freshwater Lakes Conference in the United States in 1995. Moreover, surveys underscore the park’s unparalleled biodiversity, boasting 1,288 vascular plant species, including globally threatened flora such as the endangered Burretiodendron hsienmu, endemic to Ba Be Lake and limited to Vietnam and southern China.
The park’s fauna is equally impressive, encompassing 553 vertebrate species, including 81 mammals, 332 birds, 48 amphibians, and 106 fish species. Many of these species are listed in the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List, such as the Eurasian otter (Lutra lutra), common bent-wing bat (Miniopterus schreibersii), Pearson’s horseshoe bat (Belomys pearsonii), François’ langur (Trachypithecus francoisi), Owston’s civet (Hemigalus owstoni), and the aforementioned white-eared night heron.
Macaca mulatta in Ba Be Park
Recognized as one of the 68 most critical wetlands of national and international environmental value, Ba Be Lake was officially endorsed as one of Vietnam’s five wetlands of international importance by the Vietnamese Prime Minister, pursuant to Decision 1479/QD-TTg dated October 13, 2008, outlining wetland reserves until 2020.
Elevating Vietnam’s stature on the global stage, Ba Be National Park’s Ramsar recognition underscores the nation’s commitment to the Ramsar Convention and the protection of wetlands. Furthermore, this acknowledgment serves as a beacon, drawing international tourists to Ba Be National Park and Bac Kan Province. Indeed, Ba Be, a Vietnamese Ramsar site, stands as a source of national pride, underscoring the responsibility of local authorities to safeguard and promote this invaluable wetland.
It’s imperative that nations cherish the natural treasures bestowed upon them. Achieving Ramsar status is a testament to a nation’s commitment to conservation. However, amidst rapid socioeconomic development, there exists a pressing need for heightened awareness regarding the importance of natural resources and Ramsar sites. Failure to do so imperils the rich biodiversity and natural resources we are privileged to steward.
