Illustrative photo (Source: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) - The Vietnamese environment sector's main tasks this year include administrative reform, tightened controls on natural resources and more measures to tackle climate change.
This was revealed at a recent conference to review the 2015 performance of the Environment and Natural Resources Ministry as well as to introduce its working plan for this year.
Deputy Minister Tran Hong Ha said that last year marked a milestone for Vietnam's environment sector in improving legal framework with new laws like the Law on Sea and Island Natural Resources and Environment, the Law on Meteorology and Hydrology, nine Governmental decrees, seven decisions and 75 circulars.
As many as 30 land-related administrative procedures were removed last year. One-shop registration offices for land use rights were opened nationwide, which helped ensure transparency and simplicity for residents.
Last year also saw strong punishment to polluters as 392 out of 439 major polluters across the country were punished. Pollution at 11 trade villages was tackled. Waste water was treated in two heavily polluted rivers – Nhue-Day River in the north and Dong Nai River in the south.
Environment Minister Nguyen Minh Quang said that this year, the ministry would improve, review and implement laws, policies and strategies on natural resource management.
Quang said that the ministry also planned to tighten management on land use with a focus on reducing land-related complaints by land users.
Speaking at the conference, Deputy Prime Minister Hoang Trung Hai appreciated the ministry's 2015 performance and agreed with its new-year resolutions.
Hai asked for an improvement of legal documents to create an effective mechanism in natural resource management.
He suggested a pilot model with three independent parties of State, investor and land users who have land taken for project development.
The deputy PM also called on the environment sector to develop, implement and oversee environment projects that help Vietnam realise its commitments to international partners.
He said that Vietnam – a country lying in lower part of rivers – faced the shortage of water, so drastic measures were needed for effective use and to manage the valuable resources.-VNA
