10 outstanding Vietnamese environmental events in 2011

On December 29, journalists who wrote about Vietnam's environmental sector voted 10 outstanding environmental events in 2011.

Here are 10 typical environmental events in 2011:

1. Bringing Ho Guom Turtle to the shore to heal

Since February 2011, many media have spoken out about the health situation of Ho Guom Turtle. More information reflects Tortoises have signs of being very tired with many wounds and wounds have signs of sores not only in the neck, apricot, but also around the body, interstitial, toenails, skin .

Bringing Lake Sword turtles to shore healing. (Photo: Environmental news)

Then, after a lot of controversy, on April 3, 2011, the experts decided to capture the Lake Sword turtle to heal. Turtles are treated according to their own regimen by steps such as handling wounds for turtles and using safe remedies, analyzing pathogens, deciding on drug types, calculating dosages needed, after finishing Stop taking the medicine, take the turtle out to the aquarium for a while to continue monitoring. After 100 days of treatment, the turtle was released into the lake on July 12, 2011, after purifying the water source in the lake.

2. Ba Be Lake is the Ramsar area of ​​the world

On June 5, 2011, in Bac Kan, the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment granted the decision of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) to recognize Ba Be Lake as the world's Ramsar site. Ba Be Lake is the third land of Vietnam to be recognized by UNESCO as the Ramsar (important wetland area of ​​the world) after Xuan Thuy area in Nam Dinh province and Bau Sau area in Dong Nai province.

3. Sonadezi Long Company discharges waste water into the environment

On 4/8, Department of Police Prevention of Environmental Crime (C49) - Ministry of Public Security has caught the result of Sonadezi Long Thanh Company (Long Thanh District - Dong Nai) discharging waste water with a strong black odor, bad smell anonymity to Ba Cross canal (connected to Dong Nai river).

According to the conclusion of C49 Sonadezi has 3 violations. The first is the act of discharging waste water in excess of the technical standards of 5 to 10 times with the volume of over 9,000 m3 a day and night into the environment.

Secondly, the company also incorrectly implemented the environmental impact report of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment. Finally, Sonadezi also did not fully operate the built wastewater treatment system. With these violations, Sonadezi Long Thanh company has been fined with a total amount of up to 405 million VND.

4. Suspension of mineral mining licenses

Since August 30, 2011, the Government has decided to suspend the mining license. This decision to deal with widespread mining activities, lack of planning and spontaneity has resulted in environmental pollution and social evils.

At the same time, the Government assigned the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment to preside over drafting a decision approving the mineral strategy to 2020, vision to 2030. The draft strategy affirms: minerals are important assets national importance must be managed, protected, exploited and used rationally, economically and effectively, ensuring national defense and security. The exploitation, processing and use of minerals must be in line with the natural resources of each type of mineral and place the national interest as the key; strengthen the protection of untapped minerals. Export of minerals must follow the principle of balancing, ensuring domestic production demands and being suitable to each period.

5. Finding 'extinct 11 million years' rock mouse in Quang Binh

On September 6, 2011, Mr. Luu Minh Thanh, director of Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park (Quang Binh), said: The park received the above information from the International Wildlife Conservation Organization ( FFI) and Vietnam 's biodiversity survey team in Phong Nha - Ke Bang National Park said that a species of mouse that was thought to be extinct 11 million years ago was discovered in Quang Binh.

The discovery of extinct ice rats 11 million years ago in Quang Binh.

This animal is shaped like a mouse, the tail is long and quite big, looks like a squirrel's tail, discovered in Thuong Hoa commune, Minh Hoa district, when the Ruc ethnic people caught to eat meat like the species other mouse.

The Ruc people call this species security. Through sample testing, experts initially identified this as a rock mouse (scientific name Laonastes aenigmamus). Previously, this rock mouse is thought to have no longer lived on Earth.

6. One-horned Javan rhino is extinct in Vietnam

On October 25, 2011, the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and the International Rhino Conservation Fund affirmed that the one-horned Javan rhinoceros (Rhinoceros sondaicus annamiticus) is extinct in Vietnam. Results of genetic analysis of 22 fecal samples collected by WWF and Cat Tien National Park from 2009 to 2010 show that all of these samples belong to the corpse of rhino found in the garden. in April 2010. This corpse, along with a bullet found in the legs and horns, was taken away.

Rare and precious rhinoceros Java is extinct in Vietnam.

WWF believes that loss of habitat is a key factor leading to the extinction of the Javan rhino in Vietnam, and warns that inadequate law enforcement, ineffective management, encroachment of land and construction Building infrastructure inside and near protected areas only adds to the pressure on already-vulnerable species populations in these areas.

7. Hydroelectricity earthquakes in Quang Nam

Dr. Tran Tuan Anh, Director of the Institute of Geology, said: 'The faulty activity zone in the geological center along with Song Tranh hydropower project 2 compartments, the reservoir water is two main causes of earthquakes. excited, the ground exploded and shook the ground in Quang Nam in the past ' . This was confirmed by him at the meeting on the afternoon of December 1, 2011 with the leaders of Quang Nam province after the earthquake survey in Bac Tra My district - Quang Nam.

Previously, from the beginning of November 2011 in the area of ​​Bac Tra My district, Quang Nam province, there were many earthquakes. These earthquakes caused ground vibrations accompanied by explosions in the area near the epicenter. A lot of people have felt fluctuations caused by earthquakes. Houses and hanging objects swayed vigorously.

8. Controversy on the construction of hydropower plants 6 and 6A in Dong Nai

Scientists have argued 'fire' on environmental issues related to Dong Nai 6 and 6A hydropower projects. Dong Nai 6 hydropower project belongs to the terraced exploitation plan of Dong Nai hydropower. During the implementation process, the project owner is Duc Long Gia Lai Group Joint Stock Company changed into 2 hydropower steps, Dong Nai 6 and 6A. Many experts said that if implemented, these two hydropower projects would have serious impacts on the environment, typically the ecosystem of Cat Tien National Park (NP). At the same time, this issue is likely to impact on biodiversity and farmers in the project area will lose agricultural land, people in downstream will face difficulties in cultivation due to changing environment and dragging along the line. inadequate series .

One question is whether to make a project that breaks the environmental landscape, negatively impact the rich fauna and flora of the national park, should it be? Currently, the project has yet to conclude this controversy.

9. Prime Minister approved the National Strategy on climate change

On December 5, 2011, the Prime Minister issued Decision No. 2139 / QD-TTg approving the National Strategy on Climate Change.

The decision clearly stated that climate change is the most serious challenge for all humanity, profoundly affecting and changing the global social life. As one of the most heavily affected countries, Vietnam considers responding to climate change as a matter of vital significance.

The national climate change strategy sets four specific objectives. Firstly, ensuring food security, energy security, water security, poverty reduction, gender equality, social security, public health, improving living standards and protecting natural resources. in the context of climate change. Secondly, low carbon economy, green growth becomes a mainstream trend in sustainable development . Thirdly, raising awareness, responsibility and capacity to respond to climate change Stakeholders; developing science and technology potentials, quality of human resources; complete institutions and policies .; take advantage of opportunities from climate change to socio-economic development. Fourth, contribute positively to the international community in responding to climate change .

This is one of 10 tasks of the National Strategy on Climate Change. Accordingly, to early warning, by 2015, to complete the construction of climate change monitoring system and sea level rise. Increase the forecast period of storms, cold air up to 3 days with an accuracy equal to the advanced level of the Asian region to minimize human and property damage caused by extreme climatic phenomena.

10. The largest tide of history in the city. HCM for the past 50 years

In the early morning of December 25, high tide in Ho Chi Minh City reached alarm level III and became a major tidal peak in history (record at 1.59m). water rises, overflowing through the system of embankments and canals along rivers, flooding the road. In some provinces, high tide reached the highest record in 50 years.

Flooding here is also the stagnation of floods and the planning of flood drainage in Ho Chi Minh City is not good, it is not true that flooding and local flooding occurred. In this regard, the authorities and relevant departments should pay attention and need solutions to resolve the root to avoid flooding problems to the people.