US$18mln plan adopted for U Minh Ha National Park preservation work
The southernmost province of Ca Mau has adopted a plan on conserving the biological diversity, ecological environment and resources of U Minh Ha National Park at a total cost of nearly VND400 billion (US$18 million) in 2016-2020.
Under the plan, the situation of the park will be assessed in order to designate functional zones and decide investment priorities.
Action plans and solutions will be designed for park management, fire prevention and biological diversity conservation.
According to the provincial People’s Committee, the plan will help develop eco-tourism services at the park while maintaining the valuable characteristics of the Ca Mau World Biosphere Reserve core zone.
The U Minh Ha National Park has a total area of more than 8,500 hectares, spreading across four communes of Tran Van Thoi and U Minh districts.
The plan designated nearly 2,600 hectares as the core zone subject to strict protection, while 5,190 hectares will be zoned off for restoring the biological system. The remaining 743 hectares will be used for administrative and support facilities as well as eco-tourism activities.
Despite being a part of the Ca Mau World Biosphere Reserve, insufficient fund has hindered eco-tourism and scientific research activities at the park.
U Minh Ha National Park was recognised by UNESCO as one of the three core zones of the Ca Mau World Biosphere Reserve in June 2009.