Decision No. 189/2001/QD-TTg on upgrading the Phong Nha - Ke Bang Nature Reserve to the Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park

Pursuant to …;

Regarding the upgrading of the Phong Nha - Kẻ Bàng Nature Reserve to the Phong Nha - Kẻ Bàng National Park

Article 1. The Phong Nha - Kẻ Bàng Nature Reserve, located in Bo Trach District, Quang Binh Province, shall be upgraded to a National Park.

________________________

PRIME MINISTER

Pursuant to the Government Organization Law dated September 30, 1992;

Based on the Law on Forest Protection and Development dated August 19, 1991;

Article 2. The location, geographical coordinates, and area of the Phong Nha - Kẻ Bàng National Park:

DECISION:

1. Geographical location: The Phong Nha - Kẻ Bàng National Park includes the administrative boundaries of Tan Trach, Thua Trach, Phuc Trach, Xuan Trach, and Son Trach communes, in Bo Trach District, Quang Binh Province.

2. Geographical coordinates: The Phong Nha - Kẻ Bàng National Park is located in the northwest of Quang Binh Province along the Vietnam-Laos border, with geographical coordinates:

- From 17

21'12" to 17

39'44" North latitude.

57'53" to 106⁰24'19" East longitude.⁰3. Area of the Phong Nha - Kẻ Bàng National Park: The total area is 85,754 hectares, divided into functional zones including:

- From 105⁰- Strict protection zone: 64,894 hectares.⁰- Ecological restoration zone: 17,449 hectares.

- Service-administrative zone: 3,411 hectares.

Article 3. Objectives and tasks of the Phong Nha - Kẻ Bàng National Park:

- Organize the protection of forest resources and diverse forest ecosystems within the planning boundaries of the National Park.

- Preserve scientific values for typical animal and plant systems in the Central region, particularly primate species and newly discovered species such as the Large Mang.

- Develop material infrastructure for the National Park to facilitate research and conservation of typical animal and plant systems in the Central region. Simultaneously, promote domestic and international scientific cooperation, serving training and educational tours according to the Prime Minister's Decision No. 08/2001/QĐ-TTg dated January 11, 2001 on the management regulations for special-use forests, protective forests, and natural production forests.

- Leverage the strengths of the natural landscape to develop eco-tourism, assist local residents in finding employment, and participate in tourism service activities to continuously improve their living standards, contributing to environmental protection and socio-economic development of the locality.

Article 4. The People's Committee of Quang Binh Province shall directly manage the Phong Nha - Kẻ Bàng National Park.

The Chairman of the People's Committee of Quang Binh Province shall direct the preparation, review, and approval of investment projects for the construction and development of the Phong Nha - Kẻ Bàng National Park and buffer zone projects according to current regulations. Annually, the capital allocated from the provincial budget plan for Quang Binh Province, the Ministry of Planning and Investment shall clearly specify the capital allocation for the construction and development of projects within the Phong Nha - Kẻ Bàng National Park mentioned above, ensuring implementation in accordance with the approved project schedule.

- Leverage the strengths of the natural landscape to develop eco-tourism, guide and assist local residents to create employment opportunities and participate in tourism service activities to continuously improve their living standards, contribute to protecting the ecological environment and developing the socio-economic conditions of the locality.

Article 4. The People's Committee of Quang Binh Province shall be responsible for directly managing the Phong Nha-Kẻ Bàng National Park.

The Chairman of the People's Committee of Quang Binh Province shall be responsible for directing the submission, review, and approval of the Investment Project for Construction and Development of the Phong Nha-Kẻ Bàng National Park and the Investment Project for Construction and Development of the Buffer Zone of the Phong Nha-Kẻ Bàng National Park in accordance with current regulations.

Annually, within the provincial budget plan, the Ministry of Planning and Investment shall clearly specify the capital allocated for investment in construction projects of the Phong Nha-Kẻ Bàng National Park mentioned above to ensure that the implementation proceeds according to the approved project schedule.

This Decision shall take effect fifteen days from the date of signature.

The Ministers, Heads of ministerial-level agencies, agencies under the Government, and Chairpersons of the People's Committees of provinces and centrally governed cities shall be responsible for organizing the implementation of this Decision.