Master Plan for Dong Van Karst Plateau Global Geopark Announced

 

Addressing at the master plan announcement ceremony, Mr Sen Chin Ly, Vice Chairman of Ha Giang Provincial People’s Committee announced Decision No. 310/QD-TTg of the Prime Minister approving the master plan for conservation, restoration and promotion the values of Dong Van Karst Plateau Global Geopark in 2012 - 2015 period, with a vision towards 2030. The geopark will cover an area of more than 2,300 square kilometres spanning four districts, including Dong Van, Meo Vac, Yen Minh and Quan Ba. The area is home to over 25,000 people from 17 ethnic groups, of which the Mong people make up 70 per cent of population.

 

The master plan aims to preserve, restore and promote the heritage values of Dong Van Karst Plateau Global Geopark as a natural museum of geology, biology and indigenous cultural history, serve scientific research and education purposes, and preserve heritage values of national and international significance. This also attracts the participation of local communities in the four districts.

 

Addressing at the ceremony, Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Thien Nhan praised the Party, government and people of Ha Giang province, central agencies, and the Vietnam National University of Hanoi for completing the master plan.

 

He stressed that master plan plays a very important role in geopark construction, preservation and management strategy and creates an important legal foundation for promoting heritages, promoting investment, and accelerating local socioeconomic development. To bring the master plan to life and preserve heritage values, Ha Giang must add effort to address existing problems.

 

He suggested the Ha Giang Provincial People’s Committee quickly popularise the master plan to people in the province and the country, while focusing on elaborating detailed development plans and development mechanisms for effective investment and management of the geopark.

 

The master plan is an important turning point for the area as it helps develop society and economy and reduce poverty thanks to tourism development.