Nguyen Duc Vinh, director of the province's agriculture and rural development department, said the 5,500ha Chi San Nature Reserve Zone would stretch over six communes of Meo Vac District.

The zone is being set up to conserve the forest ecology of plants and animals to improve the local forest's capability of preventing floods, as well as to protect the rich flora and fauna.

He said after the zone's establishment, the department would co-ordinate with the concerned agencies to implement investment policies for developing the buffer area and the special forest area, along with anti-poverty projects for the local people.

The local authorities will also promote awareness among the local people about the need to protect forests, rare plants and animals.