The People’s Committee of the central Quảng Nam Province has urged Hội An City authorities and relevant agencies to re-examine legal papers of construction projects on Cù Lao Chàm Islands.
In a document on protecting the biodiversity of the islands sent to the relevant authorities on Wednesday, vice chairman of the committee, Lê Trí Thanh, asked investors building resorts in the area to publicise their plans and inform the local authorities about the progress, time and location of their project.
For ongoing tourism projects on Bấc Beach, it was necessary to ensure that the construction would not affect the restoration of coral reefs and seagrasses and the spawning of marine turtles.
No construction project on Cù Lao Chàm Islands, whose environmental impact assessments had been approved before 2009, was on the list for another environmental impact assessment.
However, the investors were required to update information and new planning of UNESCO about the world biosphere reserve to ensure the construction did not have any impact on the islands, Thanh said.
Previously, local press had reported that many tourism projects were approved and built on Cù Lao Chàm Islands, which raised public concerns over the negative impact on the islands’ environment and biodiversity.
The project of Cù Lao Chàm Investment, Tourism and Commerce Joint Stock Company to build resorts, which reportedly encroached upon forest areas with large-scale construction work, received disapproval from the local authority and residents.
Cù Lao Chàm Islands, which covers 15sq.km, is a cluster of eight islands--- Hòn Lao, Hòn Dài, Hòn Mồ, Hòn Khô Mẹ, Hòn Khô Con, Hòn Lá, Hòn Tai and Hòn Ông.
With its diverse eco-system and multi 100-year-old historical sites, Cù Lao Chàm was officially recognised as a World Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in May 2009. — VNS