Accordingly, authorities intend to narrow the boundaries by removing urban and tourism development areas from the zone.
Recently,a series of projects related to urban and tourism development andmining have been carried out at the boundaries of the Bay’s buffer zone,creating challenges for management of the area.
Chairmanof the provincial People’s Committee Nguyen Van Doc stressed the needfor better management of the heritage’s 430 square kilometres core areaand to re-examine the feasibility of managing the buffer zone.
Hesaid the adjustments to the buffer zone are considered a small changeto its boundary and that the locality’s adjustment plan will beannounced to UNESCO for approval.
Ha Long Bay, which spans 1,553square kilometres and includes 1,969 islands of various sizes, wastwice recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1994 and 2000.
In2011, Ha Long Bay outranked 261 other landscapes from around the worldto be voted one of the seven New Natural Wonders of the World.
It has also recently been listed in the 20 geological wonders of the world by travel guide website Rough Guides.
Thebay is an iconic destination for visitors to Quang Ninh province, withits rich biodiversity, stunning beauty, and significant historical andcultural value.-VNA