Work to conserve the environment for sustainable tourism in Ha Long Bay and its vicinity has been improved thanks to a technical cooperation project funded by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
Being carried out from early 2010 until late 2012 with a total investment of JPY 350 million from Japan ODA, the project largely aimed to strengthen the implementation capacity of Quang Ninh authorities, particularly of Quang Ninh provincial Department of Natural Resources and Environment (DONRE), on natural resources and environmental management for sustainable tourism in Ha Long area.
Japanese experts shared knowledge on environmental management, land use and tourism resources, and environmental education for Vietnamese staff. Besides, some equipment such as water sampling and analysis tools were provided to Quang Ninh DONRE.
Some significant outputs have been achieved through the project, such as the establishment of a Steering Committee for Environment Management headed by a Vice Chairman of the Quang Ninh provincial People’s Committee, a coastal environment protection corridor plan, and an environmental education association of Ha Long city.
Notably, a strategy on environmental protection for sustainable tourism development has been proposed to help Quang Ninh apply appropriate measures for developing sustainable tourism in associated with preserving the environment of Ha Long Bay area. The awareness of environmental protection among local officials and the community has also been acknowledged.
“Natural environment and sustainable tourism in Ha Long have some interactions. Environmental protection is a core component of sustainable tourism. Development of environmentally-friendly tourism is one of indispensable measure to preserve environment. Via this project, Quang Ninh province has been paying stronger attention to this interaction and gradually shifting from mass tourism to eco-tourism by taking environmental issues into this sector. This has been making contribution to conserving the outstanding value of a World natural heritage, Ha Long Bay”, said Mr. Tsuno, Chief Representative of JICA.
JICA initiated its support to Quang Ninh province on environmental protection in 1998, starting with a study on environmental management planning for Ha Long Bay. Recently, it completed a grass-roots scheme to assist the province in improving the environment around floating villages in Ha Long Bay.
Source: cpv.org.vn
