How does the project to build 100 villas affect Nui Chua National Park?

Hundreds of rare species of animals and plants need to be preserved.

As reported by VietNamNet , the Vinh Hy Luxury Resort project in Ninh Hai district, Ninh Thuan province, with an area of 64.65 hectares, is being consulted by the community for environmental impact assessment by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment . The investor of this project is Syrena Vietnam Investment and Development Joint Stock Company (Syrena Vietnam Company), a member of BIM Group.

The issue of public concern is that this project is located in Nui Chua National Park, the core zone of the Nui Chua World Biosphere Reserve recognized by UNESCO.

Notably, the project has a total area of 64.65 hectares, of which the majority is planned special-use forest land with an area of 64.17 hectares and 0.48 hectares of water surface land planned for Nui Chua National Park Marine Reserve.

To build 100 resort villas in the project, the investor will have to "clear and clear" nearly 12 hectares of special-use forest, including 10.6 hectares of natural forest and 0.98 hectares of planted forest.

A corner of Nui Chua National Park. Photo: Huynh Van Truyen.

According to the environmental impact assessment report, the implementation of this resort project will impact a series of sensitive areas as well as the flora and fauna ecosystems of Nui Chua National Park.

Specifically, the project land is located in the service - administrative subdivision of Nui Chua National Park, about 50m north of the strictly protected subdivision boundary; 100m west of the project is Vinh Hy Bay, a shelter and storm shelter for fishermen;

100m to the Northeast of the project is the newly planned cemetery of Vinh Hai commune people; 700m to the West of the project is Vinh Hy Border Guard Station.

Regarding the current status of biological resources, a report by a group of experts from the Institute of Ecology and Biological Resources, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, conducted in November 2021, noted that Nui Chua National Park has more than 1,800 species of higher plants. Of which, there are 96 rare plant species at different levels of threat that need to be preserved.

Nui Chua National Park is considered the only place in mainland Vietnam where sea turtles come to lay eggs. (Photo: Nui Chua National Park)

Regarding terrestrial animals, Nui Chua National Park and the project's vicinity have 266 bird species, including 6 rare species; 79 mammal species, including 26 rare species; 99 amphibian-reptile species, including 22 rare species; 609 insect species and species types; 333 coral species...

In particular, Nui Chua National Park is considered the only place in mainland Vietnam where sea turtles come to lay eggs. More than 3km of coastline stretching from Ngang beach to Mong Tay island in Thai An village is where sea turtles come to lay eggs. This is a strictly protected location.

During the implementation of the Vinh Hy Luxury Resort project, the investor will have to clear, relocate and cut down 9,326 trees, equivalent to a reserve of 271,911m3 of wood. Among them are trees taller than 20m such as Xoan nhu, Vang anh, La nhit...

Resort projects should not encroach on National Parks

Speaking to VietNamNet reporter, Prof. Dr. Dang Huy Huynh, Vice President of the Vietnam Association for Conservation of Nature and Environment, said that Nui Chua National Park is one of 34 national parks in Vietnam. This place has a very special ecosystem, the climate is different from the North and Central regions. Therefore, the animals and plants here play an important role in the ecosystem function of the area.

In particular, Nui Chua National Park also has a rocky mountain ecosystem and a coastal ecosystem that are extremely important to the environment, especially in the current context of climate change.

According to Prof. Dr. Dang Huy Huynh, Nui Chua National Park contributes to the strategy of developing biodiversity, preserving rare and endemic species of animals and plants of the country. Protecting Nui Chua National Park is also part of Vietnam's commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to zero by 2050.

“Therefore, the construction of a project of 100 resort villas in Nui Chua National Park will certainly affect the ecosystem, biodiversity and especially international commitments on climate change issues,” said Prof. Dr. Huynh.

Regarding the fact that the investor of the Vinh Hy Luxury Resort project will exploit 12 hectares of forest to build 100 villas, Professor Dr. Huynh said that the project should not be implemented inside Nui Chua National Park.

"Compared to the total area of the National Park, 12 hectares of forest is not large, but the activities of this project will have an impact on the environment of Nui Chua National Park.

If we seriously implement regulations on environmental protection and forest protection, we should not encroach on conservation areas and national parks. Personally, I do not agree with the implementation of the project to build 100 resort villas in Nui Chua National Park," Prof. Dr. Huynh expressed.

Building a villa requires changing the purpose of use of 11.58 hectares of special-use forest

Vinh Hy Luxury Resort Project is located in Vinh Hy village, Vinh Hai commune, Ninh Hai district, Ninh Thuan province, in plot 5, sub-zone 150, administrative - service subdivision of Nui Chua National Park.

The project has a total area of 64.65 hectares, a decrease of about 4 hectares compared to the approved plan in 2017. Most of the land is planned for special-use forests with an area of 64.17 hectares and 0.48 hectares of water surface land planned for the Nui Chua National Park Marine Reserve.

The results of the inventory of the current status of forests and forest land at the project announced by the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development of Ninh Thuan province in March 2022, of the 12.9 hectares that Syrena Vietnam Company requested for appraisal, there were 11.58 hectares of forest planned for special-use forests.

To implement the project, Syrena Vietnam Company will have to carry out procedures to request a change in forest use purpose for the above 11.58 hectares of forest.

Pursuant to the Forestry Law, the Prime Minister will decide on the policy of changing the purpose of using this forest.

Landscape of Nui Chua Biosphere Reserve. (Photo: NVP)

Previously, in October 2020, the People's Committee of Ninh Thuan province issued a Decision approving the sustainable forest management plan of Nui Chua National Park until 2030.

The goal is to protect the existing 18,872.62ha of forest intact, and continue to maintain forest cover at 79.6% by 2030. Conserve plant and animal resources, especially 62 rare and endangered plant species and 46 endangered animal species. Do not conduct recreational activities in the strictly protected area of the special-use forest.

Meanwhile, the Project on developing eco-tourism, resorts and entertainment at Nui Chua National Park was approved by the People's Committee of Ninh Thuan province in October 2020. The Vinh Hy luxury resort project belongs to the administrative service area of the special-use forest, which is one of 11 areas for leasing forest environment.

One of the principles when constructing works serving eco-tourism, resorts, and entertainment in special-use forests is that "works may only be constructed on vacant land, grasslands, and land with bushes that cannot self-regenerate".

The project of 100 resort villas 'eats' 12 hectares of forest in Nui Chua National Park . To build 100 resort villas, the investor of Vinh Hy Luxury Resort will exploit 12 hectares of forest, including more than 10 hectares of natural forest.

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