Ben Tre gets 6.3 million USD from Government to fight erosion hinh anh 1Coast erosion threats many shrimp farm in Ben Tre (Source: http://biengioibienbentre.vn)
 
Ben Tre (VNA) – The Mekong Delta province of Ben Tre has received 140 billion VND (6.3 million USD) from the Government to repair two embankments to prevent erosion along rivers and upgrade another dyke along the coast.

The provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development reported at a recent meeting that there are five spots vulnerable to landslides and erosion and require urgent repairs or upgrades.

The funds provided by the Government will be used to fix a 200m stretch of coastal dyke in Thanh Phu district’s Con Bung area at a cost of 60 billion VND (2.7 million USD) and two river dykes in Cho Lach and Ba Tri districts.

The remaining two vulnerable areas have to wait for more funds from the Government, said Nguyen Huu Lap, Vice Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee.

The province’s authorities are struggling to prevent erosion and move people to safer areas because of budget constraints. In addition, some people living in vulnerable places are reluctant to move because of a lack of jobs in resettlement areas.

Chairman of the Ben Tre People’s Committee Cao Van Trong said erosion has worsened in recent years, especially in Ba Tri district’s Bao Thuan commune, Thanh Phu district’s Thanh Hai commune, Cho Lach district, Mo Cay Nam district’s Thanh Thoi commune and others.

At present, erosion is threatening in 112 sites with a total length of 138km along river banks and coast.
More than 120ha of land have been lost to the sea every year for the past five years, and more than 55ha of forests have been damaged, he said.-VNA
VNA