Con Dao will not compromise environment for economic development

Recently, during a working trip to the special administrative zone of Con Dao, Ho Chi Minh City Vice Chairman of the People’s Committee Bui Minh Thanh and a delegation conducted a field survey and inspection of forest management and protection at Con Dao National Park, while also discussing issues related to socio-economic development planning in the area.

The delegation included representatives from the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee Office and several departments and agencies, including the Department of Agriculture and Environment, the Department of Construction, the Department of Finance, the Ho Chi Minh City Inspectorate, the Ho Chi Minh City Forest Protection Sub-Department, as well as leaders of the Con Dao Special Administrative Zone People’s Committee and the Con Dao National Park Management Board.

The delegation conducted on-site inspections at several key locations, facilities and projects related to the locality’s development planning, including the Mui Chim Chim area, Dat Doc reservoir, the D5 road route, Nhat Beach - Ben Dam, and the planned Ben Dam handicraft and small-scale industry zone.

In addition, the delegation examined a site proposed for conversion of forest land use in sub-zone 58 of Con Dao National Park for the construction of the Con Dao waste treatment plant, as well as several forest-environment leasing projects currently underway in the Ong Cau and Ong Dung areas.

According to the Con Dao National Park Management Board, during previous coordination with local authorities and relevant departments and agencies, the unit discovered several inconsistencies between land-use planning maps from different periods and decisions issued by the Prime Minister approving planning related to the area and boundaries of the park’s special-use forest land up to 2030, with a vision to 2050.

Based on this, the unit has reported and proposed adjustments to certain planning contents, particularly in the Ben Dam area, in order to identify a suitable location for the Con Dao waste treatment plant project while ensuring compliance with legal regulations on forestry, planning, and forest management and protection.

Leaders of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee have repeatedly affirmed in meetings with local authorities that Con Dao must be developed in a sustainable manner, closely linked with the conservation of natural resources. “The city has clearly determined that environmental protection will not be traded off for economic growth at any cost, especially in Con Dao,” emphasized Ho Chi Minh City Vice Chairman Bui Minh Thanh.

Regarding land management in areas with natural forests along the D5 road axis, the Con Dao National Park Management Board said it had reported to the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee about the issuance of land-use right certificates to several cases on land currently covered by forests. Relevant city agencies are now conducting inspections and reviews to clarify the matter and rectify land management and forest protection practices in the area.

During the same working trip, leaders of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee also announced and handed over decisions on personnel appointments at the Con Dao National Park Management Board.

Accordingly, Nguyen Khac Pho, Director of the Con Dao National Park Management Board, was assigned to concurrently serve as Head of the Special-Use Forest Ranger Unit, while Nguyen Dinh Trung, Head of the Organization and Administration Division, was appointed Deputy Director of the Con Dao National Park Management Board.

Speaking at the ceremony, Ho Chi Minh City Vice Chairman of the People’s Committee Bui Minh Thanh acknowledged the efforts of the Con Dao National Park Management Board in forest management and protection, biodiversity conservation, and the development of eco-tourism. He urged the newly assigned officials to continue upholding their sense of responsibility and solidarity, working together with the collective to successfully fulfill their duties.

In his remarks upon receiving the assignment, Nguyen Khac Pho, Director of the Con Dao National Park Management Board and Head of the Special-Use Forest Ranger Unit, expressed appreciation for the trust placed in him by the Ho Chi Minh City leadership. "Together with the collective of the unit, we will continue striving to effectively carry out forest management and protection, as well as conserve the distinctive ecosystems of Con Dao National Park, contributing to the preservation of the locality’s natural resources," Pho affirmed.