Uncontrolled sand exploitation carried out along Lang Co Bay in centralThua Thien – Hue Province has caused environmental degradation tothe area and the bay, which was included in the World's Most BeautifulBays Club in 2009.
Sand exploitation has increaseddramatically along the coast from Loc Vinh Commune to Lang Co Town,where the bay is located.
Violators have cut downtrees and created several paths to facilitate entry into a previouslyuntouched chestnut forest in Phu Hai 1 Hamlet in Loc Vinh Commune.
Illegal sand exploitation has left large holes in another chestnut forest in Phu Hai 2 Hamlet.
In addition, in Lang Co Town, several construction companies have usedexcavators and bulldozers to exploit sand in areas along Lang Co Bay'sbeach, destroying certain parts of the forest.
Thousands of cubic metres of sand and soil have been dug out and takenfor construction purposes, adding to the threat of salt encroachment.
The beaches at Mui Doi, Lap An Lagoon and the Tho Sonarea in Loc Tien Commune have also been damaged by the illegal activity.
Some high-end hotels and resorts investors alongbeachfront locations have added to the problem as they are levellingmany sand dunes in the surrounding area for road construction.
Although the problem has occurred over the past several years, localauthorities have yet to apply any strict penalties to resolve it.
Bui Ngoc Ga, chairman of Loc Vinh Commune's People's Committee, saidthe local authorities has assigned officials in Phu Hai 2 Hamlet tomanage the local chestnut forest.
According to Ga, construction material companies are not allowed to exploit sand along the coastline.
The local government has set up several watchtowers to observe anyillegal activity, but storms last year destroyed most of them, hinderingthe effectiveness of inspections.
TranVan Giang,chairman of Lang Co Town's People's Committee, said it is difficult tostop illegal sand exploitation as it often occurred at night or duringweekends when local authorities are not working.-VNA
Sand exploitation has increaseddramatically along the coast from Loc Vinh Commune to Lang Co Town,where the bay is located.
Violators have cut downtrees and created several paths to facilitate entry into a previouslyuntouched chestnut forest in Phu Hai 1 Hamlet in Loc Vinh Commune.
Illegal sand exploitation has left large holes in another chestnut forest in Phu Hai 2 Hamlet.
In addition, in Lang Co Town, several construction companies have usedexcavators and bulldozers to exploit sand in areas along Lang Co Bay'sbeach, destroying certain parts of the forest.
Thousands of cubic metres of sand and soil have been dug out and takenfor construction purposes, adding to the threat of salt encroachment.
The beaches at Mui Doi, Lap An Lagoon and the Tho Sonarea in Loc Tien Commune have also been damaged by the illegal activity.
Some high-end hotels and resorts investors alongbeachfront locations have added to the problem as they are levellingmany sand dunes in the surrounding area for road construction.
Although the problem has occurred over the past several years, localauthorities have yet to apply any strict penalties to resolve it.
Bui Ngoc Ga, chairman of Loc Vinh Commune's People's Committee, saidthe local authorities has assigned officials in Phu Hai 2 Hamlet tomanage the local chestnut forest.
According to Ga, construction material companies are not allowed to exploit sand along the coastline.
The local government has set up several watchtowers to observe anyillegal activity, but storms last year destroyed most of them, hinderingthe effectiveness of inspections.
TranVan Giang,chairman of Lang Co Town's People's Committee, said it is difficult tostop illegal sand exploitation as it often occurred at night or duringweekends when local authorities are not working.-VNA
