3:26:34 PM | 7/8/2005
UNESCO has recognized Cat Ba archipelago in the northern port city of
Cat Ba - the only site in Vietnam endowed with both forest and ocean has abundant natural resources, beautiful landscapes and many kinds of rare animals and plants, and has a total natural acreage of 26,240ha including 9,200ha of water.
The reserve is divided into three areas of core, buffer and transition zones. The core zone in the south-east and north-west covers 8,500ha and is free from direct human impacts, excluding research activities. The 7,741-ha buffer zone has great potential for economic development, studies, education and entertainment. The 10,000-ha transition zones are crowded with people and are favorable for community-based development projects, particularly aquaculture and tourism services.
It is home to 2,320 species of fauna and flora, including 741 land species, 282 forest species, 538 seabed species, 196 fish species, 177 species of coral reefs, 75 species of sea grasses and 23 species of wetland plants. As many as 60 species of fauna and flora are endemic and listed in
The new recognition will create potential for the city to join regional and global networks of co-operation and scientific research and receive financial assistance from
In an effort to make Cat Ba become a more attractive destination, the city will develop eco-tourism and marine tourism alongside tours of its primeval forests. It will also focus on long-term environmental protection programs to restrict the reserve from human impacts due to tourism services.
Cat Ba is estimated to welcome around 400,000 tourists comprising one-third of foreigners and is expected to attract one million holiday-makers by 2010.
The reserve, about 30 km north-east of
Other UNESCO-recognized World Biosphere Reserves in
The World Network of Biosphere Reserves now consists of 459 sites in 97 countries.
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