VietNamNet Bridge – Tran Minh Ca, Deputy Chairman of the Quang Nam People’s Committee, said that the province would not accept massive investment in the recently recognised national landscape – Cu Lao Cham (Cham islands) – and would pay appropriate attention to environmental protection. Cu Lao Cham recognised as national landscape
Could you please tell us about the viewpoint of the provincial authorities in developing tourism on Cu Lao Cham?
It is good news for Quang Nam that Cu Lao Cham is recognised as a national landscape. However, this will put a lot of pressure on the protection of the environment, and require more efforts to protect the invaluable natural resources that nature has awarded Quang Nam.
Quang Nam authorities will be cautious about the development of the tourism industry on Cu Lao Cham. The biggest advantage of Cu Lao Cham that attracts tourists is the natural landscapes; therefore, there will be no big construction works there. Currently, in order to avoid bad impacts on the environment, we will try to limit the number of visitors on the islands.
As far as I know, Quang Nam authorities have allocated several land plots on Cu Lao Cham to investors. How will the matter be settled?
It is true that provincial authorities have accepted several investment projects on the islands, but the investors did not obey the regulations on environmental protection so the province has stopped licencing projects and allocating land.
Now on the islands only the Cu Lao Cham Tourism and Trade Joint Stock Company is carrying out the project on building a wharf, which will help tourism boats moor more easily.
You have said that the province will try to limit the number of visitors coming to Cu Lao Cham. Why is the province still allowing the wharf to be built?
In the long term, a port will be very necessary to develop tourism. Currently, as there is not a specialised port, tourism boats still have to use fishing ports. Moreover, the port which is being built will also serve some residents on the islands. It is imperative to have good infrastructure to make Cu Lao Cham a real national landscape.
Quang Nam authorities have revoked a lot of investment licences in tourism. What are the reasons for your decisions?
We have revoked eight licences on tourism projects, and we are going revoke another 10 licences. There are two main reasons. First, investors have not carried out the projects though the projects were licenced a long time ago. Second, investors cannot wait any longer as the site clearance process has been prolonged.
How will you deal with the revoked projects?
They will be given to other investors. New investors will be responsible for paying the expenses the previous investors incurred.
Quang Nam authorities will ask investors to pay security deposits when they register investments ($10,000/ha). This aims to prevent investors from appropriating land (in many cases, investors just make investment registrations to get land plots).
What solutions will Quang Nam authorities apply to ensure harmonisation between accommodation development and heritage preservation?
We will set strict requirements on investment projects. The construction and repair of houses in the ancient town must be approved by local authorities. Moreover, accommodation development will not be allowed in the ancient town, only in coastal areas. Accommodation projects must meet the standards for four-star accommodations at least, and cover an area of 5ha. The construction density of the projects must not be higher than 20%, while the buildings must not have more than three storeys.
(Source: TBKTVN) | 
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