Expansion of U Minh Ha National Park gets approval hinh anh 1A swamp in the U Minh Ha National Park (Source: WWF Vietnam)

Hanoi (VNA) - The Prime Minister has approved the expansion of the U Minh Ha National Park in the southernmost province of Ca Mau by nearly 250 hectares from the original acreage stipulated in Decision 112/QD-TTg dated January 20, 2006.

Accordingly, the enlarged Park will have a total area of 8,527.8 hectares, spreading across Khanh Binh Tay Bac and Tran Hoi communes of Tran Van Thoi district and Khanh An and Khanh Lam communes of U Minh district.

More than 2,590 ha are designated as the core zone subject to strict protection, mostly forest on peatland, while 5,190.5 hectares are zoned off for preserving and restoring the cajeput forest biological systems. The remaining area, 743 ha, is used for administrative and support facilities as well as eco-tourism activities.

Scientific research conducted in 2010 revealed that the park was home to distinctive flora and fauna including 32 mammal species and 74 bird species.

The park is currently home to 700-800 heads of deer, hundreds of wild boars and a variety of precious birds like painted storks and pelicans.

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.-VNA
VNA