(TITC) - Ha Long Bay where owns outstanding natural heritage values was recognised twice by UNESCO. Ha Long Bay plays an important role as a driving force to uphold socio-economic development of Quang Ninh Province. It has great contribution to the tourism development. In the process of developing and modernising it needs to pay attention to the conservation and environmental protection in Ha Long Bay to ensure developing the tourism in a sustainable way.
Recently, Ha Long Bay faces certain environmental challenges. Besides the pressures on the bay (such as traffic activities, seaports, tourism, aquaculture and fishing, habitation on the water surface), the bay is impacted by extensive bayside activities and basins flowing into the bay (including agricultural, forestry, transport, industrial, mining, tourism - service and daily living activities). These have made great pressures on the environment, natural resources and biodiversity in Ha Long Bay.
Visitors are guided about protecting the environment in Ha Long Bay when visiting Cua Van fishing village (Photo: quangninh.gov.vn)
In recent years, Quang Ninh Province has paid attention and made an effort to invest into the environmental protection, Ha Long Bay heritage preservation and achieved a number of remarkable results. Those have made positive changes and transformations for all levels of authorities, people, businesses and visitors. Thereby, trash cans with lids are arranged in caves, tourist spots, areas from the docks, ensuring hygiene and aesthetics. Offshore or onshore trash are collected by cleaning staff regularly and transported to the wharf at the end of the day and transported to shore for treatment. Sewage is collected into a septic tank system...
Additionally, the prevention and control of plastic waste in Ha Long Bay has been synchronously and drastically implemented by the Ha Long Bay Management Board, especially, requiring the serious participation of tourism service businesses on the bay. As a result, up to now, more than 90% of plastic waste has been reduced in sightseeing and tourism activities on Ha Long Bay.
Collecting waste in Ha Long Bay (Photo: quangninh.gov.vn)
In order to improve the quality of the environmental protection in Ha Long Bay associated with sustainable tourism development, Quang Ninh Province should keep implementing 5 groups of solutions, including: mechanism and policy on sustainable management of tourism; investment in infrastructure development; application of science and technology and international cooperation; developing human resources and raising public awareness for sustainable tourism development; and managing, monitoring and controlling the environment and tourism activities.
Accordingly, it is necessary to develop a management system on cruise ship schedule on Ha Long Bay; limit the number of boats on Ha Long Bay. Therefore, it will contribute to increase the experience value for visitors while protecting the natural environment. At the same time, the province needs to review carefully the investment and conservation plans related to the area, to ensure uniformity and synchronous coordination for investment activities in urban construction, development of facilities, infrastructure, and environmental protection.
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