VietNamNet Bridge - Animals living deep in the limestone mountains of Hon Chong in Kien Giang province, an area with high biological diversity with mountains and limestone caves, are facing a serious threat from the quarrying operations of cement manufacturers.

Vietnam is the biggest cement producer in SE Asia. It runs 58 cement plants with the total capacity of 91.4 tons a year, leaving the second largest producer – Indonesia – far behind with 15 plants and 63.1 tons a year.

While quarrying operations have boomed in limestone areas, the reports on possible impact on the environment do not consider the unique ecological characteristics of the areas and the serious consequences on local biodiversity.

According to FFI (Fauna & Flora International), cement manufacturers have destroyed about 42 percent of limestone area in Hon Chong. Only 258 hectares have been left in an area which in the past was a 447-hectare ‘archipelago’, comprising 17 islands. 

The organization pointed out that in the mountains left, there are 31 species at least in danger, six of which are critically endangered. 

Tony Whitten, FFI’s Asia Pacific Director, commented there is nowhere else in the world with such a high concentration of endangered species, warning that extinction is highly possible if cement companies continue exploitation in an uncontrolled way.

The secluded natural environment and the harsh conditions in limestone ecosystem have created a "perfect recipe" for high biological diversity. It is not a surprise at all if some certain species can be found only on one hill or in one cave. 

Animals living deep in the limestone mountains of Hon Chong in Kien Giang province, an area with high biological diversity with mountains and limestone caves, are facing a serious threat from the quarrying operations of cement manufacturers.

Some animals living in caves become blind or have no wings and won’t be able to survive in the environment outside the cave.

A species of snail in Hon Chong, belonging to Macrochlamys family, which is in danger, for example, only lives in two caves.  About half of the original snail species have disappeared, while the rest are facing threat from quarrying activities.

Another snail species discovered in 2015 on only one mountain might have disappeared also because of the activities. Another mountain in Hon Chong is where the endangered Indochina silver langurs (Trachypithecus germaini) live.

IUCN has released 30 reports about endemic species in danger in Hon Chong.

Recent reports showed that Holcim Vietnam is considering leaving Vietnam because of oversupply, while Vinacimex is planning to take over the company. However, this won’t help change the situation in Hon Chong.

The local authorities are considering setting up a natural reserve in nine out of 34 mountains in the area, but only one-fourth of species in Hon Chong would benefit from this.

Thanh Mai