What does the government say about the "many or few" tourist attractions on Thac Ba Lake?

Illegal construction on forest land

On July 13, after a 40-minute boat ride from Huong Ly port, Yen Binh town, Yen Bai province, Giao thong Newspaper reporters arrived at the "Paradise Islands" tourist area in Hong Bang village, Dai Dong commune, Yen Binh district, Yen Bai province.

According to records, the area has been invested in a grand manner from food services, entertainment, check-in, and bedrooms.

Panoramic view of illegal tourist area on Thac Ba Lake.

Room rates range from 1,150,000 VND/room, community housing costs 2.2 million VND.

According to the manager at the Paradise Islands resort, there are currently 6 private rooms and 5 communal rooms. The room rates are higher on weekends and are usually fully booked during the week.

According to the reporter's observation, the "Paradise Islands" tourist area has many solidly built items on an area of ​​thousands of square meters such as swimming pools, houses... on an oasis in the middle of Thac Ba Lake. This area was previously planted forest land.

Leaving the "Paradise Islands" tourist area, it only took reporters 5 minutes by boat to reach the "Thac Ba Green Island" tourist area, which is also solidly built from the dining room to the communal rooms.

It is worth mentioning that in this tourist area, many houses are built right next to the water's edge of Thac Ba Lake.

After visiting the rooms, an employee (who asked to remain anonymous) said that the "Green Island Thac Ba" tourist area currently has about 22 rooms with areas ranging from 20m2 - 50m2, built on an area of ​​2.3 hectares.

When the reporter mentioned the licensing of inland waterway ports to serve tourists to the island, this person still affirmed that there was a license.

To clarify the issue, the reporter went to the Inland Waterways Port Authority of Region II, Vietnam Inland Waterways Administration, Ministry of Transport and learned that Yen Bai province has 18 licensed inland waterway ports.

The tourist areas "Paradise Islands" and "Thac Ba Green Island" are not included in the list of inland waterway ports licensed to operate by the State management agency.

Mr. Nguyen Duc Xuan, Head of the Inland Waterway Port Authority Region II, said: "Because the tourist areas "Paradise Islands" and "Thac Ba Green Island" are outside our route, we cannot handle them. Most of these tourist spots are spontaneous."

Lieutenant Colonel Bui Tuan Anh, Captain of the Waterway Police Team, Traffic Police Department, Yen Bai Provincial Police, said: "Currently, the unit has asked the tourist areas "Paradise Islands" and "Thac Ba Green Island" to sign a commitment not to allow vehicles that do not meet operating conditions (not registered or inspected) to participate in inland waterways."

According to the reporter's investigation, some tourist destinations such as "Thac Ba Lake Eco-tourism Cooperative" (also known as Paradise Islands) and "Thac Ba Lake Green Island Tourism Cooperative" (Thac Ba Green Island) have built a series of service business projects but have not been licensed to operate in the middle of Thac Ba Lake National Tourist Area.

The illegal construction of accommodation, swimming pools, etc., threatens to disrupt the ecological planning of Thac Ba Lake. However, boats are still busy taking tourists to the island for sightseeing and relaxation, collecting money without receipts.

Paradise Islands tourist area was built with a series of service business facilities but has not been permitted by competent authorities.

Request for dismantling and restoration of status quo

To clarify the above issue, Giao Thong Newspaper reporters had a working session with Mr. Nguyen Xuan Truong, Chairman of Yen Binh District People's Committee, Yen Bai Province.

Mr. Nguyen Xuan Truong said that the district has learned about the incident and sent a team to conduct an on-site inspection.

Accordingly, at Thac Ba Lake Ecotourism Cooperative, violations were discovered: Arbitrarily changing the purpose of using agricultural land to non-agricultural land; no construction permit.

The inspection team has imposed administrative penalties and partially dismantled the violating construction. However, the area has not been restored to its original state.

Thac Ba Lake Green Island Tourism Cooperative has built a series of business and service facilities but has not been permitted by competent authorities.

The "Thac Ba Lake Green Island Tourism Cooperative" area violated: Arbitrarily changing the purpose of using agricultural land to non-agricultural land; without a construction permit.

The cooperative has also paid the administrative fine and partially dismantled the illegal construction. However, the land has not yet been restored to its original state.

Yen Bai Provincial People's Committee has issued a document directing provincial departments and branches to consider revoking the investment policy granted to Thac Ba Lake Cultural, Sports, Tourism and Auxiliary Park Investment Joint Stock Company.

In addition, the land use planning has been adjusted to commercial and service land in the decision of Yen Bai Provincial People's Committee approving the adjustment of land use planning of Yen Binh district for the period 2021-2030, with a vision to 2050.

Therefore, the cooperative proposed to allow the dismantling time to be delayed to complete the project dossier and submit it to the Provincial People's Committee for consideration and decision.

The leaders of Yen Binh District People's Committee also assigned Dai Dong Commune People's Committee to continue to propagate and mobilize cooperatives to voluntarily dismantle illegal constructions and structures.

In case of non-compliance, Dai Dong Commune People's Committee shall complete the dossier to enforce the administrative penalty decision to restore the original status according to regulations.

In addition, the Thac Ba Lake Ecotourism Cooperative in Dai Dong commune is required to contact the Department of Planning and Investment for guidance on project preparation and submission to the competent authority for investment policy approval to carry out land lease procedures in accordance with regulations.

Giao thong Newspaper reporters contacted representatives of the two above mentioned areas but received no response.

Giao thong newspaper will continue to inform about the incident.

Source: https://www.baogiaothong.vn/chinh-quyen-noi-gi-ve-diem-du-lich-nhieu-khong-tren-ho-thac-ba-192240716183539658.htm