Being aware of these issues, recently, the Management Board of Non Nuoc Cao Bang Geopark has taken its proactive role in disaster risk reduction and geohazard prevention. The Management Board has been collaborating closely with provincial departments, local authorities, tourism operators, heritage site managers, and accommodation providers to regularly update meteorological and hydrological forecasts and develop response plans tailored to each area’s geography, scale and conditions. Additionally, public awareness and community education on disaster prevention and response, including search-and-rescue, have been conducted for both tourists and residents.

Not only short-term solutions, to address long-term challenges, the Management Board has integrated disaster response training into capacity training workshops and field surveys for local residents. These workshops and field surveys mainly focus on the Geopark align with sustainable development strategy of UNESCO Global Geoparks including environmental protection, heritage preservation and livelihood improvement. Collaboration among experts, authorities, and residents to enhance awareness and disaster preparedness skills is becoming a vital foundation for building adaptive, sustainable green tourism models.

An outstanding example is a training workshop held on May 19, 2025, focusing on sustainable development associated with disaster risk reduction, and geological hazard mitigation for communities prone to potential geohazards which was organized by the Geopark Management Board. The workshop brought together local government representatives, Party Cell Secretaries, village heads from Ca Thanh, The Duc, Yen Lac, Tinh Tuc, and Vu Nong communes of Nguyen Binh district (current Ca Thanh and Tinh Tuc communes). Notably, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tran Tan Van, member of Asia Pacific Geoparks Network Advisory Committee, (Former Director of the Vietnam Institute of Geosciences and Mineral Resources), delivered lectures and shared his expertise related to the workshop’s theme. The training covered heritage management for sustainable tourism; climate change knowleadge and legal frameworks; current situations and adaptive solutions, geohazard identification; forecasting, warning systems, proactive response to geohazards and enhancing capacity and skills for disaster response and risk reduction. Participants discussed practical climate change adaptation and geohazard management issues in Non nuoc Cao Bang UGGp territory. Practical inputs shared during the workshop helped clarify existing challenges and propose specific solutions suitable to local natural and social conditions.

After the training workshop, on May 20, 2025, the Management Board of Non nuoc Cao Bang Geopark organized a field survey in Khuoi Ngoa hamlet, Ca Thanh commune, Nguyen Binh District (current Ca Thanh Commune). Experts and participants assessed geological and environmental conditions in the area highly prone to geohazards. The on-site data collected is significant to develop early warning systems and propose preventive measures to mitigate damage and ensure safety for local communities.

Particularly during the stormy season, the Management Board of the Non Nuoc Cao Bang UNESCO Global Geopark focuses on regularly inspecting and assessing infrastructure systems, heritage sites, and partner establishments along the four experiential tourism routes. At the same time, the unit actively contributes suggestions and proposes solutions to ensure the safety of structures and preserve the environmental landscape at heritage sites, thereby helping to enhance community capacity in disaster prevention and proactive response to extreme weather events.

Raising awareness and promoting action on disaster risks not only mitigates damage but also fosters green tourism, protects environment and community safety. This lays a strong foundation for adaptive and sustainable development in Non nuoc Cao Bang UNESCO Global Geopark, preparing it for the growing challenges of climate change.

Source: Minh Chau