The authorities and people of the northern province of Quang Ninh havespared no efforts in protecting Ha Long Bay and its valuable biologicaland geographical assets since being recognised as a World Heritage sitetwo decades ago.
On December 17, 1994, UNESCOdesignated the bay a World Heritage site of globally outstanding valuein terms of natural landscape. The recognition was extended in 2000, andin 2011 Ha Long Bay outranked 261 other landscapes from all over theworld and was voted one of the seven new natural wonders of the world.
The recognition acknowledges the bay’sexceptional rock cave and limestone mountain system which took millionsof years to form, as well as its outstanding biodiversity.
Scientists identified more than 500 species of high-level plants inthe bay, which spans 1,553km2 and includes 1,969 islands of varioussizes. Half of the plants have medicinal properties and couldpotentially be used as medicine. Experts also observed 66 species ofamphibians and reptiles, 77 species of bird and 22 species of mammals.
Over 570 species of seabed creatures, around 180coral species, over 150 species of fish, nearly 150 species of seaweedand sea grass, and 19 species of aquatic plants were identified in thebay and neighbouring Bai Tu Long Bay and Cat Ba Bay.
The preservation of the rich ecosystem is considered urgent since therapid socio-economic development of modern life has left behind thefirst signs of damage.
Therefore, environmentallyharmful activities have been prohibited, including the shipping of usedcoal, cement, woodchips and rocks. In addition, mining, sorting andtransporting coal in the core area of the bay is no longer allowed.
Hundreds of households that lived on the bay have been resettled toonshore locations, while age-old fishing villages were rearranged toensure no ugly scars are left behind.
To ensure thebay’s ecosystem is healthy, coastal water is regularly tested, whilerubbish floating on the bay is gathered for onshore treatment.
The application of cutting-edge science and technology, like theglobal positioning technology GPS, the wimax system, and geographicalinformation systems are widely used. Equipment is used to filter oildischarged by ships operating on the bay with a view to keeping theecosystem healthy.
In August 2014, the provincial People’s Committee approved plans on Ha Long Bay’s environment with a vision towards 2030.
It laid a special emphasis on the protection of the environment andthe application of environmental standards certified by Vietnam anddeveloped countries.
By 2020, Ha Long Bay and Ha Long City aim to take the lead in environmental protection and green growth efforts.
By 2030, they both strive to become an ASEAN-standard green growthcentre, with Ha Long Bay becoming a leader in sustainable naturalresources and environmental management.
The provincehas cooperated with local and international nature conservationagencies, research institutes, universities, and scientists to researchand enhance the bay’s values in terms of biodiversity, culture, history,geography and geomorphology.
Since becoming theworld heritage site, Ha Long Bay has welcomed nearly 25 millionvisitors, contributing to turning Quang Ninh province into a tourismmagnet.
According to Pham Thuy Duong, Head of the HaLong Bay Management Board, tourism aims to generate resources forconservation.
Nature has bestowed priceless valuesupon Ha Long Bay, and with appropriate conservation efforts the bay canlive up to UNESCO’s recognition, Duong said.-VNA
On December 17, 1994, UNESCOdesignated the bay a World Heritage site of globally outstanding valuein terms of natural landscape. The recognition was extended in 2000, andin 2011 Ha Long Bay outranked 261 other landscapes from all over theworld and was voted one of the seven new natural wonders of the world.
The recognition acknowledges the bay’sexceptional rock cave and limestone mountain system which took millionsof years to form, as well as its outstanding biodiversity.
Scientists identified more than 500 species of high-level plants inthe bay, which spans 1,553km2 and includes 1,969 islands of varioussizes. Half of the plants have medicinal properties and couldpotentially be used as medicine. Experts also observed 66 species ofamphibians and reptiles, 77 species of bird and 22 species of mammals.
Over 570 species of seabed creatures, around 180coral species, over 150 species of fish, nearly 150 species of seaweedand sea grass, and 19 species of aquatic plants were identified in thebay and neighbouring Bai Tu Long Bay and Cat Ba Bay.
The preservation of the rich ecosystem is considered urgent since therapid socio-economic development of modern life has left behind thefirst signs of damage.
Therefore, environmentallyharmful activities have been prohibited, including the shipping of usedcoal, cement, woodchips and rocks. In addition, mining, sorting andtransporting coal in the core area of the bay is no longer allowed.
Hundreds of households that lived on the bay have been resettled toonshore locations, while age-old fishing villages were rearranged toensure no ugly scars are left behind.
To ensure thebay’s ecosystem is healthy, coastal water is regularly tested, whilerubbish floating on the bay is gathered for onshore treatment.
The application of cutting-edge science and technology, like theglobal positioning technology GPS, the wimax system, and geographicalinformation systems are widely used. Equipment is used to filter oildischarged by ships operating on the bay with a view to keeping theecosystem healthy.
In August 2014, the provincial People’s Committee approved plans on Ha Long Bay’s environment with a vision towards 2030.
It laid a special emphasis on the protection of the environment andthe application of environmental standards certified by Vietnam anddeveloped countries.
By 2020, Ha Long Bay and Ha Long City aim to take the lead in environmental protection and green growth efforts.
By 2030, they both strive to become an ASEAN-standard green growthcentre, with Ha Long Bay becoming a leader in sustainable naturalresources and environmental management.
The provincehas cooperated with local and international nature conservationagencies, research institutes, universities, and scientists to researchand enhance the bay’s values in terms of biodiversity, culture, history,geography and geomorphology.
Since becoming theworld heritage site, Ha Long Bay has welcomed nearly 25 millionvisitors, contributing to turning Quang Ninh province into a tourismmagnet.
According to Pham Thuy Duong, Head of the HaLong Bay Management Board, tourism aims to generate resources forconservation.
Nature has bestowed priceless valuesupon Ha Long Bay, and with appropriate conservation efforts the bay canlive up to UNESCO’s recognition, Duong said.-VNA
