The administration of Ca Mau Province has approved an investment of VND1.458 trillion (US$61.7 million) to develop resorts and ecotourism areas at U Minh Ha National Park in this southern Vietnamese province, in order to promote local tourism, protect forest resources, and improve local livelihoods.

Of the total funding, around VND52 billion ($2.2 million) is backed by the state budget, while the rest comes from private sources, said Tran Hieu Hung, director of the provincial Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism on Tuesday.

A project to build the ecotourism and resort areas at the national park, located in Tran Van Thoi District, will comprise two main zones spanning over 1,318 hectares and will be implemented from now until 2030, the official said.

The development of the sustainable tourism project is aligned with the conservation and development of the cajeput ecosystem of the U Minh Ha area, he elaborated.

Tourism development always goes hand in hand with the conservation and protection of the environment and natural resources, the director affirmed.

The development of the resort and ecotourism areas at the national park is expected to connect neighboring tourist attractions such as Hon Da Bac, Song Trem or community-based tourism establishments in other districts together.

Besides, the project will improve the livelihoods of local residents and raise public awareness about forest protection, management, and development.

Being among 34 national parks in the country, the U Minh Ha National Park is one of the three areas recognized by UNESCO as world biosphere reserves in Ca Mau Cape of the namesake province.

Approximately 1,760 hectares of over 8,500 hectares under the management of the U Minh Ha National Park is primary forest, which about 176 species of plants, 23 mammal species, 91 bird species, and 47 reptile species inhabit.​

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