Decision No. 01/QD-TTg On Adjusting and Expanding the Area of Bach Ma National Park

Pursuant to …;

Regarding the adjustment and expansion of the area of Bach Ma National Park

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PRIME MINISTER

Based on the Law on the Organization of the Government dated December 25, 2001;

Pursuant to the Law on Forest Protection and Development dated December 14, 2004;

Considering the proposal of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development at Circular No. 3426/BNN-KL dated December 13, 2007,

DECISION:

Article 1. Adjusting the planning and expanding the area of Bach Ma National Park, which is part of the system of special-use forests in Vietnam, located within the administrative areas of Thua Thien Hue Province and Quang Nam Province, including the following contents:

1. The total natural area of the National Park after adjusting the planning for expansion is 37,487 hectares, of which:

- In Thua Thien Hue Province is 34,380 hectares.

- In Quang Nam Province is 3,107 hectares.

The area of the Park is divided into 42 subzones, of which the expanded portion includes 17 subzones, comprising 3 subzones belonging to the protective forest of Phu Loc Forestry Station, 11 subzones belonging to the protective forest of Nam Dong Forestry Station in Thua Thien Hue Province, and 3 subzones belonging to the protective forest of Dong Giang District in Quang Nam Province.

- Northern boundary: starts from the peak 897 in the Tuoi Cave area along the boundary of compartments 32B and 33 in Subzone 222 through peaks 654, 326, 312, dividing the mountain slope facing the East Sea to peak 494.

- Northeastern boundary: from peak 494 through peak 769, following the stream down around the foot of Hoa Binh Hill to the junction of the Thuy Dien Stream, passing through the Rock Standing Gorge and along the mountain cave to Huong Lake (peak 801).

- Eastern and Southeastern boundaries: partly the boundary between Thua Thien Hue Province and Da Nang City running from Huong Lake to Mang Mountain (peak 1712), from Mang Mountain connecting through peak 1190, dividing the southeastern mountain slope to peak 581 (in Quang Nam Province).

- Southern boundary: starting from peak 581 along the ridge through peaks 601, 776, 782 to Bol Dol Mountain (peak 1084) and following the boundary between Quang Nam Province and Thua Thien Hue Province to Abram Mountain.

2. Geographical location:

The geographical coordinates of the Park after expansion:

- From 15°59'28" to 16°16'02" north latitude

- From 107°37'22" to 107°54'58" east longitude.

3. Area of functional zones:

a) Core zone area: 37,487 hectares, of which:

- Strictly protected zone: 12,064.8 hectares.

- Ecological restoration zone: 20,234.0 hectares.

- Administrative service zone: 5,188.2 hectares.

b) Buffer zone area:

The buffer zone of Bach Ma National Park after expansion has an area of 58,676 hectares, including 11 communes and towns in the districts of Phu Loc (communes: Xuan Loc, Loc Hoa, Loc Duyen, Loc Tri, Phu Loc Town) and Nam Dong (communes: Thua Long, Thuong Nhat, Thuong Lu, Huong Phu, Huong Loc, Khe Tre Town) in Thua Thien Hue Province; and Dong Giang District with 4 communes in Quang Nam Province (communes: Tu, Atinh, Song Con, Ta Lu).

4. Objectives and tasks of Bach Ma National Park.

- Protecting natural resources and scientific values for typical flora and fauna and transitional ecosystems between northern and southern climate zones distributed across altitudes from sea level up to 1700 meters; conserving endemic and rare species such as White-crested Laughingthrush, Firebacked Pheasant, Five-colored Leaf Monkey, Tiger, Saola, Asian Elephant,... and endemic and rare plant species such as Bach Ma Camphor, Bach Ma Pine, Agarwood, Teak, Rosewood, Ironwood,...

- Maintaining the upstream watershed protection function of rivers such as Tuoi River, Left Trach River (upper reaches of Huong River), Cu De River, Con River, Gold River,... contributing to reducing natural disasters like floods and droughts, stabilizing the lives and production of people in the region.

- Implementing environmental service policies well, organizing and serving research and education to enhance conservation awareness.

- Building and developing infrastructure to serve management, conservation, and eco-tourism development, community development, improving rural infrastructure conditions, and enhancing the quality of life for buffer zone communities to ensure sustainable development goals in the region.

Article 2. The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development is responsible for managing Bach Ma National Park according to Decision No. 186/2006/QD-TTg dated August 14, 2006 of the Prime Minister on the issuance of regulations on forest management.

Directing the preparation of investment projects for the construction and development of the expanded Bach Ma National Park, the construction project of the buffer zone of the expanded Bach Ma National Park, and the eco-tourism development project of the expanded Bach Ma National Park, submitting them to competent authorities for approval and directing the implementation of these projects in accordance with current state regulations on investment management and construction.

Article 3. This Decision shall take effect fifteen days after the date of signature.

The Ministers of the Ministries of Agriculture and Rural Development, Planning and Investment, Finance, Natural Resources and Environment, Home Affairs, Science and Technology, Culture, Sports and Tourism, Heads of relevant agencies, Chairmen of People's Committees of Thua Thien Hue and Quang Nam Provinces are responsible for implementing this Decision./.