Da Nang (VNS/VNA) - Central Vietnam's first forest school has beenlaunched in Son Tra Nature Reserve to provide an outdoor education site forschool students in the central city of Da Nang.

The head of the school, biologist Nguyen Thi Tinh, said the school was built onthe boundary of the 78ha eco-tour site in the reserve. It will offer educationon biodiversity, first-hand experiences with forest research and outdoor skillsand a chance to explore the lifestyle of the area's endangered red-shanked douclangurs.

Tinh said it is the first such forest school in central Vietnam to offervaluable experiences and lessons for young students.

She said the educational programmes will include field trips in the jungle,observing the langurs and research on the area's flora and fauna starting inlate August.

“We hope that school students will fall in love with the forest and wildlife aswell as natural experiences," Tinh said. "The centre also plans toprovide forest bathing for nature lovers and tourists in the future."

“We offer courses for groups of 26 school students for each trip. The programmetargets building up young generations with love of nature and a responsibilityfor forest restoration and wildlife protection.”

The centre, in middle of the forest 11km from the city centre, will also hostwildlife study, painting, environment clean-ups and tree planting activities.

Last year, the city’s education and training department, in cooperation withthe Centre of Biodiversity Conservation and NGO GreenViet, introduced the SonTra Nature Education Centre – an exhibition and museum centre focused on thefauna and flora of the nature reserve on Son Tra peninsula.

According to the city’s education and training department, more than 25,000school students and 3,000 local residents have participated in nature awarenesseducation activities and field trips in the jungle.

The reserve, which covers 4,400ha, is home to more than 1,300 red-shanked douclangurs and more than 1,000 plant and 370 animal species.

The reserve hosts at least 10,000 visitors per month.

Authorities in the central city of Da Nang have warned tourists not to feedlocal monkeys.

During the recent peak tourist season, a herd of wild monkeys have beenfrequently spotted to gather at the landfill behind Linh Ung Pagoda on Son TraPeninsula, scavenging for food, even when environment workers are present toburn the trash.

For a long time, tourists have used candies and fruits and other types of foodto lure these monkeys into a position where they can be photographed.

Nguyen Van Hung, a local street vendor, said the monkeys got used to being fedand began "asking" for food or aggressively stealing it fromtourists, sometimes causing quite a scene on the road which might result inaccidents.

“They continue giving food to monkeys despite my warnings,” he said.

Researchers say that by feeding the wild animals, tourists have changed theirliving habits. From searching for food in their natural habitat, some monkeyshave switched to food meant for human, which is not really good for theirdigestive system.

Ecologist Ha Thang Long, founder of NGO Green Viet, said that in addition tothe negative impact on the monkeys, direct contact between humans and wildanimals increases the risk of diseases for both sides.

Duong Thi Xuan Lieu, head of the Tourism Management and Operation Departmentunder the Management Board of Son Tra Peninsula and Da Nang beaches, said theboard had put up signs discouraging people from feeding the animals and urgedtour operators and transport providers to warn tourists against such practices.

However, due to poor management and the lack of a mechanism to punish those whofeed the monkeys, the situation has not seen much improvement. 

In 2015, two tourists were hospitalised after being attacked by monkeys on SonTra peninsula.

Tourists are recommended to keep themselves safe and preserve the naturalhabitat for local wildlife by keeping their distance from wild animals.-VNS/VNA