Illustrative image (Source: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – Many localities nationwide experienced environmental degradation during the 2011-2015 period, according to a report released by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MoNRE) in Hanoi on September 29.
Air pollution increased at traffic intersections and construction sites, especially in big urban areas, the report said, pointing to increasing river water pollution and saltwater intrusion in the southwestern, southeastern and central coastal localities.
Of note, the maritime environmental incident in the four central provinces of Ha Tinh, Quang Binh, Quang Tri and Thua Thien-Hue last April caused serious socio-economic and environmental consequences, in both short and long terms.
MoNRE Deputy Minister Vo Tuan Nhan said the protection of natural resources and the environment is one of the country’s fundamental development orientations in the 21 st century set by the Party, along with industrialisation, moderination and the development of a knowledge-based economy.
However, he said, the economy’s dependence on natural resources, the rapid industrialisation without adequate attention to environmental effects, plus environmental impacts generated by international integration have hindered natural resources and environmental protection efforts.
Against the backdrop, the Party and State have done their best to finalise relevant policies and laws to tackle various environmental issues and slow down environmental pollution, the official said.
The ten-chapter report reviewed the country’s environmental quality from 2011 through 2015, and proposed solutions to environmental protection in the time to come.-VNA
