Lang Son issues regulations on Geopark's protection

The People’s Committee of Lang Son Province has recently issued regulations on the management and environmental protection of the Lang Son UNESCO Global Geopark, aiming to strengthen heritage conservation, control development activities, and promote sustainable resource use. These regulations apply to all agencies, organizations, enterprises, local communities, and individuals involved in activities within the Lang Son UNESCO Global Geopark area.

The Lang Son UNESCO Global Geopark covers an area of more than 4,842 km², encompassing the entire administrative boundaries of 43 communes and wards, as well as parts of several adjacent communes. The area is divided into three functional zones: the core zone, the buffer zone, and the transition zone, each subject to different levels of management and protection. The core zone, in particular, is strictly regulated to safeguard the site’s outstanding heritage values.

The regulations prioritize the conservation of natural ecosystems, biodiversity, and geological and landscape values. Production, business, and service activities in the core zone must be strictly controlled, as in a highly protected area, and any acts that harm forest resources, including illegal hunting and wildlife trade, are strictly prohibited.

Regarding tourism, the regulations require that development be carried out responsibly in association with conservation, environmental protection, and the preservation of cultural identity. Tourist sites and destinations must fully comply with regulations governing waste collection, classification, and treatment; strictly control waste generation; and adopt pollution-reduction measures and cleaner production practices.

The regulations also provide specific provisions for managing 38 sites across four tourism routes within the geopark, calling for stronger coordination among management authorities, local governments, and communities in environmental protection and sustainable tourism development.

Notably, all scientific research, surveys, and investigations conducted within the geopark must strictly comply with applicable laws and regulations; the collection of specimens and fossils must be properly managed and supervised. Research results must be reported within 60 days of the program's completion.

The regulations also emphasize the role of local communities in protecting and promoting heritage values. Residents are encouraged to participate in tourism activities and develop livelihoods associated with conservation, while complying with environmental protection regulations, practicing proper waste management, and using natural resources responsibly.

In terms of implementation, the Lang Son Provincial Investment, Trade and Tourism Promotion Center is assigned as the focal agency responsible for advising, guiding, and monitoring the implementation. Relevant departments, sectors, and local authorities at the commune and ward levels are responsible for coordination, management, inspection, supervision, and handling violations within their authority.

The issuance of these regulations is expected to establish a comprehensive legal framework that contributes to the effective conservation of geological, cultural, and landscape heritage values, while promoting sustainable tourism development and improving livelihoods for communities within the Lang Son UNESCO Global Geopark.