HCM City’s districts join battle with illegal sand miners
The People’s Committees of Can Gio district and district 9 will join forces with public security agencies, border guards and neighbouring provinces to fight illegal sand mining in Ho Chi Minh City.
Sand is being mined along the Sai Gon River (Photo: VNA)HCM City (VNS/VNA) – The People’s Committees of Can Gio district and district
9 will join forces with public security agencies, border guards and
neighbouring provinces to fight illegal sand mining in Ho Chi Minh City.
The districts share borders with HCM City’s neighbouring provinces, making it difficult for them to tackle illegal sand mining by themselves. The Can Gio coast is reported to be badly hit by sand mining.
A representative of the Can Gio District People’s Committee said the mining is usually done at night, which makes it hard for authorities to detect it or deter offenders.
There have been cases of groups of illegal sand miners assaulting inspectors when they were detected.
Law enforcement agencies blame the increasing incidence of mining to lax regulations and enforcement and lack of stringent penalties.
Sand mining is only treated as illegal when more than 50 cubic meters are exploited.
Thus, when a case is detected, violators throw sand back into the sea to escape punishment.
In the first six months of the year 12 cases were detected on the Can Gio coast, and total fines of 278 million USD (12,000 USD) were collected.
Nguyen Van Thanh, Vice Chairman of the District 9 People’s Committee, said the district plans to collaborate with the city’s public security agencies, border guards and agencies in Dong Nai province’s Bien Hoa city and Binh Duong province’s Tan Uyen district to crack down on illegal sand mining.
Their cooperation would focus on exchange of information, supervision and prevention of violations, he said.
The district has asked market supervision teams to regularly inspect sand depots and other selling points around the city, he said.
Traders who fail to furnish certificates of origin for their sand would be reported to investigative agencies, he said.
In the first six months of the year public security agencies discovered 24 cases of illegal sand mining and seized 22 pumping machines, according to the municipal Department of Natural Resources and Environment.
Two people were prosecuted for illegal exploration and exploitation of natural resources.
The city’s border guards detected another 35 cases and seized 53 machines.-VNS/VNA
The districts share borders with HCM City’s neighbouring provinces, making it difficult for them to tackle illegal sand mining by themselves. The Can Gio coast is reported to be badly hit by sand mining.
A representative of the Can Gio District People’s Committee said the mining is usually done at night, which makes it hard for authorities to detect it or deter offenders.
There have been cases of groups of illegal sand miners assaulting inspectors when they were detected.
Law enforcement agencies blame the increasing incidence of mining to lax regulations and enforcement and lack of stringent penalties.
Sand mining is only treated as illegal when more than 50 cubic meters are exploited.
Thus, when a case is detected, violators throw sand back into the sea to escape punishment.
In the first six months of the year 12 cases were detected on the Can Gio coast, and total fines of 278 million USD (12,000 USD) were collected.
Nguyen Van Thanh, Vice Chairman of the District 9 People’s Committee, said the district plans to collaborate with the city’s public security agencies, border guards and agencies in Dong Nai province’s Bien Hoa city and Binh Duong province’s Tan Uyen district to crack down on illegal sand mining.
Their cooperation would focus on exchange of information, supervision and prevention of violations, he said.
The district has asked market supervision teams to regularly inspect sand depots and other selling points around the city, he said.
Traders who fail to furnish certificates of origin for their sand would be reported to investigative agencies, he said.
In the first six months of the year public security agencies discovered 24 cases of illegal sand mining and seized 22 pumping machines, according to the municipal Department of Natural Resources and Environment.
Two people were prosecuted for illegal exploration and exploitation of natural resources.
The city’s border guards detected another 35 cases and seized 53 machines.-VNS/VNA
You should also see
VNA marks 70th anniversary of Dien Bien Phu Victory with various activities
The Vietnam News Agency (VNA) hosted an array of activities to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the Dien Bien Phu Victory (May 7, 1954 - 2024).
See more
Environment
Can Tho explores climate change cooperation with foreign countries
Leaders of the Mekong Delta city of Can Tho on April 17 met with a visiting delegation from the Embassies of Canada, New Zealand, Norway, and Switzerland to discuss issues related to erosion, climate change, migration, and the city's current needs for support and cooperation.
Environment
Nghe An: Man captured for illegal wildlife transport
Police in Vinh city, the central province of Nghe An, have captured a suspect involved in the illegal transport of 420 rare wildlife animals, including parrots, kangaroos, turtles, and monkeys.
Videos
Vietnam works to prevent biodiversity degradation
Vietnam is recognised as one of the countries with the richest biodiversity in the world with different ecosystems including tropical forests, marine and coastal ecosystems. However, experts from the World Wide Fund for Nature in Vietnam said that Vietnam's biodiversity is degrading.
Environment
Communication campaign calls for wildlife conservation efforts
The central province of Quang Binh, home to the UNESCO-recognised Natural Heritage site of Phong Nha Ke Bang National Park, on April 13 launched a communication campaign in response to the World Wildlife Day (March 3) and the National Biodiversity Restoration Year 2024.
Environment
Saigon Co.op ties up with Winrock International for waste circulation
Saigon Co.op signed an MoU with non-profit Winrock International in HCM City on April 12 to reduce environmental pollution by developing a waste circulation model, enhancing waste separation at source and raising the extended producer responsibility.
