VietNamNet Bridge – Illegal construction on Cai Ha Mountain inside the UNESCO heritage site of Trang An in the northern province of Ninh Binh has been completely removed, local authorities confirmed on July 10.

The local authorities intend to plant more trees on the dismantled areas. VNA/VNS Photo Ninh Duc Phuong

“The dismantling task did not affect the heritage site much,” said Vu Van Huan, chairman of Hoa Lu District’s People’s Committee.

Huan further said the committee and concerned individuals have admitted their mistakes for not preventing the construction from being built.

Nguyen Duc Loi, chairman of the People’s Committee of Truong Yen Commune, said he himself and leaders of the commune deserved blame.

Trang An Tourism Company last August cut into Cai Ha Mountain and constructed a staircase leading up to Huyen Vu Peak. The staircase runs a length of over 1km with 2,000 steps and handrails on both sides to serve tourists.

The company also constructed supporting facilities like public toilets.

The construction was almost completed after six months and has been open to visitors since this year’s Tet (Lunar New Year) holiday.

Ninh Binh Province’s Tourism Department reported and asked the provincial People’s Committee and Hoa Lu District’s People’s Committee to deal with the violation and remove the walkway.

Nguyen Van Son, director of Trang An Tourism Company, started to direct the dismantling in March, promised to remove the walkway by April 30 and then asked for the deadline to be extended twice to the middle of June.

The Trang An Landscape Complex was listed among World Heritage sites by UNESCO on June 23, 2014.

The complex, a mixed cultural and natural property, covers more than 6,000ha with three areas including the Hoa Lu Ancient Imperial Capital, which was chosen by various kings of the Dinh, early Le and the beginning of Ly reigns between 968-1009; the Trang An – Tam Coc – Bich Dong rivers and karst mountains site and Hoa Lu Primitive Forest stretching over the districts of Hoa Lu, Gia Vien, Nho Quan, Tam Hiep Town and Ninh Binh City in Ninh Binh Province.

Source: VNS