This document is compiled on 27/10/2014 by me, Hoang Anh and a friend of mine, Minh Hoang. Our aim is to oppose the construction of cable cars in Son Doong Cave, the world's largest natural cave located in Phong Nha, Ke Bang National Park (Quang Binh, Vietnam). We appreciate any constructive comments to make this document more powerful, and also encourage everyone to use this document on the social media. Please keep signing our petition in this link to attract more attention of the Vietnamese government, local and international organizations, media and people all over the world.
Thank you!
In 2009, a group of scientists from the British Cave Research Association conducted a survey in the Son Doong cave system in Vietnam. Their findings showed that this new cave system is expected to be five times larger than Phong Nha cave, a UNESCO world heritage site, and is now considered to be the largest known cave system in the world. Shortly thereafter, National Geographic magazine published stunning, never-seen-before pictures from inside the cave and instantly, Son Doong became the most attractive living "lost world" to explore.
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Now, only five years later, a for-profit cable car project developed and funded by private Vietnamese investors; The Sun Group, was secretly approved by the provincial government to conduct a series of surveys for the construction of a cable car system in (or to?) The Son Doong Cave and to turn this need-to-be-reserved-world-
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Vietnam has participated in many conventions on protecting world heritage sites and in constructing Ho Chi Minh highway. The Vietnamese government had even enquired with UNESCO and ultimately changed its original design to avoid damaging the reserved zone of Phong Nha- Ke Bang. Receiving the UNESCO's World Heritage title along with annual supporting funds means Vietnam has agreed to protecting that heritage for the world - and that heritage belongs to the world. Not long ago, Hue Citadel and Ha Long Bay almost had their titles revoked due to incompetent management while protecting the sites. Would Vietnam give up the World Heritage title of Phong Nha - Ke Bang? With the construction of this cable transport, it's not hard to foresee the ugly impact left by massive waves of uncontrolled visitors on this caves delicate ecosystem. Exploiting a candidate for World Heritage status in this way, Vietnam will soon become a country without any natural culture.
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In the case of Machu Picchu, even with the goverment's attempt to reduce the numbers of tourists by tightening the tour regulations, during 14 years (1984-1998), the visitor count had increased by 11 times (6,000 to 66,000). This left a cutural and environmental scar on the local area http://news.
Another tragic case is Zhongtian Men (Mid gate to the sky) cable transport to the top of Taishan mountain in China which has also received a lot of criticism.
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| In 1987, UNESCO inducted Taishan as a World Heritage Site. |
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| Those who traverse this trek could find themselves squeezed for elbowroom, as this pathway is usually flooded with a sea of sightseers. |
We need to stop this entertainment complex construction not only to protect a marvel that nature has blessed upon Vietnam, but because it is also our duty to use our human knowledge of what will happen if we don't. Son Doong, with its unique biosphere conserved, hidden and protected by nature for millions of years could hold many answers we are searching for and they might even change our future! Son Doong is a time capsule, a book that we haven't even read through the first page yet. Both the Vietnamese government and the Sun Group are not capable of this thoughtful and entrusted duty. The construction of this complex is opposed by many scientists, they stress that it will surely destroy the biosphare of Son Doong cave. The destruction of such a precious natural heritage gravely affects the identity and history of Vietnam and all of humanity - which we will all regret in the years to come. The protection of nature, both tangible and intangible, is inseparable from the knowledge of humanity, and should be an integral part of our natural conservation efforts.
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I, Duong Vu Hoang Anh - a world citizen, therefore make the following wishes:
- I appeal to all countris and professional bodies involved in science and geographical studies... as well as individuals and tourists, to be on alert for this action of Quang Binh provincial government and the Sun Group. Sharing is caring: https://www.facebook.com/NoCableCarInSonDoong
- I call on all parties involved in this project to halt immediately the destruction of Son Doong cave, to save our Vietnamese World Heritage badge. I call on all the world's citizens to help and implement "The Rights of Nature" and to urge the Government of The Socialist Republic of Vietnam to take immediate action and stop this private project to build a cable car system to the Son Doong Cave - the world’s current largest - in the UNESCO recognized Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park, Quang Binh Province, Vietnam.
- I am inviting other world citizens to sign this petition in order to implement "The Rights of Nature" as to prevent any construction work within The Son Doong Cave and its region of Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park, Quang Binh province, Vietnam http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/956/103/062/
This project is murderous to the environment and will infinitly have a damaging impact on the Son Doong Cave and the ecosystem of the entire region at Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park. Destroying the remnants of the past robs all future generations of a powerful legacy, deepens hatred and despair and undermines all attempts to foster our trust for the Government. Now it is the time to stop the destruction, build knowledge and protect our common heritage. We are all borrowing this planet from our grandchildren. If we cannot make it better, let's stop making it worse.
Read mor about Son Doong:
Nation Geographic: http://ngm.nationalgeographic.
#SAVESONDOONG
