The Mekong delta province of Kien Giang has approved a forest lease plan for tourism development in the 2010-2015 period, which is considered to be a bold move to preserve forest and tap its eco-tourism potential.
Under the plan, all economic sectors will be mobilised to engage in forest management and protection. The plan is expected to help mitigate forest destruction and encroachment, gradually improve forest quality, and maintain forest preservation and sustainable development, said Lam Hoang Sa, Vice Chairman of the Provincial People’s Committee.
It will also take advantage of the forest environment for eco-tourism development, he added.
The plan has biding regulations for tenants to ensure the diversity of the flora and fauna in the leased forests, the Vice Chairman said, adding that if the forest environment and panorama are destructed, the renters themselves will also suffer losses.
The total area of forest for lease is more than 6,800ha in U Minh Thuong, An Minh, Kien Luong, Kien Hai and Hon Dat districts, and Ha Tien Town.