Decision No. 142/2003/QĐ-TTg On converting the Đất Mũi Nature Reserve in Cà Mau Province to the Mũi Cà Mau National Park in Cà Mau Province

Pursuant to …;

Regarding the conversion of the Ca Mau Land End Nature Reserve, Ca Mau Province, into

 Ca Mau Cape National Park, Ca Mau Province

____________________

PRIME MINISTER

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

Pursuant to the Law on Protection and Development of Forests dated August 12, 1991;

Considering the proposal of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (Circular No. 1608/CV/BNN-KL dated June 25, 2003) and that of the People's Committee of Ca Mau Province (Circular No. 1327/UB dated June 23, 2003).

DECISION:

Article 1. Convert the Ca Mau Land End Nature Reserve, located in Ngoc Hien District, Ca Mau Province, into a national park within the system of special-use forests in Vietnam, including the following contents:

1. Name: Ca Mau Cape National Park.

2. Location and coordinates:

- The location of the Ca Mau Cape National Park on land is within the administrative boundaries of the communes of Dat Mui, Vien An, and Dat Moi, in Ngoc Hien District, Ca Mau Province.

- Geographic coordinates: From 8°32' to 8°49' North Latitude. From 104°40' to 104°55' East Longitude.

3. Objectives and tasks of the Ca Mau Cape National Park:

- To conserve long-term the national, regional, and global ecological benchmark based on scientific, economic, and social solutions to protect the mangrove wetland ecosystem at the land end which is undergoing natural succession.

- To develop the Ca Mau Cape National Park for tourism activities, ecological tours, international cooperation, and to build and experiment models of conservation and sustainable use of coastal mangrove resources, enhancing the economic value and functions of the wetland ecosystem.

- To enhance the protective role against environmental degradation, erosion, and promote the process of coastal sedimentation to protect the lives and production of people in the mainland areas and the residential areas of fishermen in the coastal zone, laying the foundation for sustainable development in the coastal area.

- To protect the biodiversity of mangrove forest ecosystems, habitats for coastal species, provide nutrition for aquatic species, and support production activities in the coastal zone.

- To establish a stable socio-economic structure suitable for forest management, protection, and development objectives through improving and enhancing the sustainability of agro-forestry systems, increasing forest productivity to boost the economic benefits of the coastal mangrove areas in the buffer zone of the national park.

- To improve rural infrastructure continuously to improve living conditions for local residents. Enhance community awareness about the values of forests and wetland ecosystems and methods of sustainable resource use.

- To contribute to strengthening national defense, protecting political security, and social order in the southernmost region of the country.

4. Scale and functional zones:

- Total natural area: 41,862 hectares. Of which: Area on land: 15,262 hectares. Coastal area: 26,600 hectares.

- Functional zones on land:

a) Strictly protected zone: 12,203 hectares. Located in Sub-zone 2 and Sub-zone 3 of the special-use forest of the Land End and the current coastal protective forest.

b) Ecological restoration zone: 2,859 hectares. Located in Sub-zone 4 and the coastal part of Sub-zone 1 of the current special-use forest of the Land End.

c) Administrative and service zone: 200 hectares

Located in the vicinity of Tau Creek, Hai Thien Channel, Baau Large Creek, and Mui Creek.

- Functional zones on sea:

Extending from the western coastline out to sea, the main function of this zone is to conserve marine biological resources and coastal ecosystems, maintain and study the geomorphological and natural ecological processes of the Ca Mau Cape National Park, including the following points:

Point 1. Sao Luoi Gate in Cai Nuoc District.

Coordinates: From 104°47'30" East Longitude.

From 8°48' North Latitude.

Point 2. 4,700 meters offshore.

Coordinates: From 104°45' East Longitude.

From 8°48' North Latitude.

Point 3. Offshore.

Coordinates: From 104°42' East Longitude.

From 8°40' North Latitude.

Point 4. Offshore.

Coordinates: From 104°42' East Longitude.

From 8°35' North Latitude.

Point 5. Offshore.

Coordinates: From 104°48' East Longitude.

From 8°33'30" North Latitude.

Point 6. At the mouth of Truong Phi Creek in Ngoc Hien District.

Coordinates: From 104°48' East Longitude.

From 8°34'30" North Latitude

5. Buffer Zone of the Ca Mau Cape National Park: The buffer zone of the Ca Mau Cape National Park has a total area of 8,194 hectares, located within the communes of Dat Mui, Vien An, and Dat Moi in Ngoc Hien District, Ca Mau Province.

Article 2. Entrust the People's Committee of Ca Mau Province with direct management of the Ca Mau Cape National Park.

The Chairman of the People's Committee of Ca Mau Province shall be responsible for: - Directing the preparation and submission to the competent authority for approval of the investment project for construction and development of the Ca Mau Cape National Park and the investment project for construction and development of the buffer zone of the Ca Mau Cape National Park according to current regulations. - Directing the preparation and submission to the competent authority for approval of the investment project for the development of ecotourism in the Ca Mau Cape National Park.

Article 3. Organizational structure of the Ca Mau Cape National Park:

Entrust the Chairman of the People's Committee of Ca Mau Province with the decision on the organizational structure of the Ca Mau Cape National Park in accordance with the Regulation on Management of Special-Use Forests, Protective Forests, and Naturally Produced Forests issued together with Decision No. 08/2001/QĐ-TTg dated January 11, 2001 of

Article 4. This Decision shall take effect fifteen days from the date of publication in the Official Gazette.

Ministers of Ministries, Heads of agencies equivalent to ministries, and the Chairman of the People's Committee of Ca Mau Province are responsible for implementing this Decision.