Difficulties in zoning and protecting the An Phu - Kinh Chu - Nham Duong relic complex

Overlapping planning

According to Decision No. 1977/QD-TTg dated December 3, 2020 of the Prime Minister on approving the task of planning the preservation, restoration and rehabilitation of historical relics and special national landscapes of An Phu - Kinh Chu - Nham Duong complex, the total area for planning research is 11,340 hectares. The planned area includes 5 relic areas: An Phu; Kinh Chu; Nham Duong pagoda; Chua Mo cave; Ham Long, Tam Long, Doc Tit. Of which, An Phu is the relic area with the most problems in zoning for protection.

An Phu relic site includes: Cao An Phu temple, Tuong Van pagoda, Tran Hung Dao monument and the entire Yen Phu mountain range belonging to the communes and wards: Hiep Son, An Sinh, Pham Thai, An Phu, Bach Dang, Le Ninh, Quang Thanh, Thuong Quan, Hiep Hoa.

The relic site is zoned with an area of ​​1,000 hectares, the largest of the 5 planned relic sites. Of which, protection area I is 36.6 hectares; protection area II is 861.3 hectares. In particular, there is an additional area of ​​102.1 hectares compared to the previously zoned protection area.

However, the protection zoning at An Phu relic site is currently stuck because the 15.4 ha area overlaps with the slag disposal area of ​​Hai Duong BOT Thermal Power Plant in Quang Thanh and Le Ninh communes. This project was granted an investment certificate by the Ministry of Planning and Investment, and the Ministry of Industry and Trade signed a construction - business - transfer contract in 2011. The Prime Minister signed a decision on March 18, 2016 approving the adjustment of the national power development plan for the period 2011 - 2020 with a view to 2030. The Hai Duong BOT Thermal Power Plant project has foreign investors, cutting the slag disposal area out of the relic protection zoning area can be compensated for by another location but it will be very complicated.

In addition, when making the general planning of Kinh Mon town until 2040, the review of previous related plans was not thorough. Specifically, Decision 1977/QD-TTg of the Prime Minister. Therefore, the golf course project in the general planning of the town has an overlapping area of ​​74.8 hectares in Hiep Hoa commune, which is also located in the protected area of ​​An Phu relic site.

It is worth mentioning that both the slag dump area of ​​Hai Duong BOT Thermal Power Plant and the golf course project in the general planning of Kinh Mon town are located in protection zone II of An Phu relic site, the area adjacent to protection zone I, which need to be strictly protected.

In addition to An Phu, the remaining 4 relic sites are mostly stuck because of mineral exploitation projects of some enterprises that have been licensed for a long time. Of which, 4 projects have licenses that are about to expire, 3 projects have long-term licenses (agricultural farm project combined with eco-tourism of Cao Lanh Hai Duong Joint Stock Company, using area of ​​224,611 m²has the longest term, until 2064).

How to solve the problem?

The planning for the preservation, restoration and rehabilitation of the special national relic complex of An Phu - Kinh Chu - Nham Duong aims to preserve and promote historical, cultural and religious values. Connecting the relic sites into a unified whole, making this place an attractive destination. Connecting the complex with other historical relics and scenic spots in the region, creating a rich chain of tourism products, contributing to the development of the local economy and society.

After 2 years of implementation, hiring a consulting unit, receiving and editing many times, up to now, Kinh Mon Town People's Committee, Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism have sent a document reporting to the Provincial People's Committee on the planning plan of the above relic complex.

Accordingly, mineral mines will continue to be exploited according to the approved plan until the expiration date, without extension, and will be closed, rehabilitated, and the environment will be restored, and handed over to local authorities for management according to regulations.

Regarding the proposed golf course planning, it is recommended to keep it as is. When implementing it, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism will seek opinions. Similarly, the slag dump of the Hai Duong BOT Thermal Power Plant is also recommended to remain in its current state, limiting the leveling that would deform the environmental landscape of the protected area II of the Cao An Phu temple relic.

However, the concern is that keeping the current status of the slag dump and the golf course planning above, in the long term, will it ensure that the environmental landscape of the protected area II of the Cao An Phu temple relic will not be deformed? Not to mention that the golf course project area currently has over 34 hectares of protective forest and over 40 hectares of production forest.