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TANH
LINH DISTRICT
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Tanh Linh district, which
was established in 1983, is located in the mountainous southwestern part of Binh
Thuan province. The district has a latitude of 10020’26” and a
longitude of 107030’24”. lt shares borders with Lam Dong province to
the north, Ham Tan district to the south, Duc Linh district to the west, and Ham
Thuan Bac and Ham Thuan Nam districts to the east.
Tanh Linh district has
total natural area of 117,442 hectares, including 28,553.4 hectares of
agricultural land, 64.89.7 hectares of forests, 2,367.69 hectares of land used
for special purpose, 551,12 hectares of residential land, and the remaining of
21,055 hectares of rivers and mountains.
The district has a
population of 98.000 people, with 19 minorities. The Kinh people account for 90%
of the population and the other 18 ethnic minorities, including Rac Lay, K'ho,
Rai, Cham, Nung, and Chau Ro, account for the remaining 10%. Most of the ethnic
minorities live in mountainous communes, including La Ngau, Mang To, Duc Thuan,
Duc Binh, and Duc Phu.
Over the last years, the
natural population of Tanh Linh district has increased rapidly. The population
density is 83 people per square kilometer. The population density is 148 people
per square kilometer in Lac Tanh commune, 166 people in Dong Kho commune, 156
people in Huy Khiem commune, 341 people in Duc Tan commune, 158 people in Duc
Phu commune, and between 13 and 45 people per square kilometer in La Ngau, Suoi
Khiet, and Gia Huynh communes.
To realize the resolutions
set by the Party Committee of Binh Thuan province at its 10th party
Summit, Tanh Linh district is determined that developing socio-economy and
strengthening the Party Committee are the most important tasks.
By effectively tapping its
resources, the living standards of local people have improved considerably.
The district planted 1,250
hectares of rubber trees last year, raising the total area of rubber forests in
the district to 4,370 hectares. In addition to rubber, the district also plants
other industrial crops, including pepper, coffee, cashew and fruit trees. Tanh
Linh has 5,000 hectares of cashew with a productivity of 250 kg per hectare, 600
hectares of pepper, 200 hectares of coffee and 1,300 hectares of fruit trees.
Tanh Linh district
reported total industrial production of VND82 billion (roughly $5.3 million) in
2002, up VND26 billion or 46% against 2001. The industries seeing the highest
growth
rates last year were
processing, building material production and mechanical. The rural power grid in
the district has been extended. lt expanded the power grid to 1,000 households
last year, raising the rate of households having access to power in the district
to 65%.
The total social investment of the district
has increased remarkably. It invested VND26 billion in building infrastructure
and VND44 billion in other economic programs last year. 50% of the investment
was poured into transport, 16% in health-care, 14% in power and water, and 20%
in other public constructions.
Cultural and sports
activities are held regularly in the district. It targets to have radio stations
in every commune by 2005.
Tanh Linh is still
facing many difficulties, including a non-sustainable economic growth, weak
infrastructure, low technologies, and low budget revenues. The district targets
a GDP growth rate of 14.4% in 2004, in which industrial production will grow
20%, trade and service 18%, and agricultural production 12%. Its food output
will be 110,000 tons and - GDP per capita will be $360. Tanh Linh also targets
total budget revenues of VND 13 billion in the year. It will reduce the birth
rate by 0.1%. To realize the above targets, the district will mobilize its
internal strength and - call for external support and investment - by offering
more investment incentives./.
DUC LUONG
