The Red River passes through Lao Cai city (Photo: VNA) hập Hanoi (VNA) - Vice Director of the Ministry of NaturalResources and Environment’s Department of Water Resources Management, NguyenThi Thu Linh, has called for practical action to sustainably protect and tap intowater resources.
In an interview granted to the Vietnam News Agency on the occasion of WorldWater Day on March 22, with the theme “Valuing Water”, Linh said Vietnam hasabundant sources of water, with a total volume of around 9,434 cu m per capita eachyear - higher than regional and global standards.
However, due to reliance upon external sources, the domestic annualvolume is only 4,200 cu m per capita, lower than the average of 4,900 cu m per capitaper year in Southeast Asia, she added.
As Vietnam is one of the countries hit hardest by climate change, waterresources will be severely and quickly affected by uncertain rainfall andrising sea levels.
In recent years, countries in upstream areas have been stepping up theexploitation of water on trans-national rivers, especially in the basins of theMekong and Red Rivers.
The construction of dykes and hydropower plants on the upper reaches ofthe two rivers is a direct threat to water flows in Vietnam and to thecountry’s water security.
According to the World Bank, demand for water during the dry season inVietnam will increase 32 percent by 2030. Eleven out of 16 major basins in thecountry will face tension relating to a lack of water, especially the fourbasins of the Red, Thai Binh, Mekong, and Dong Nai Rivers and basins in thesoutheastern region.
Data shows that for each cu.m of water, Vietnam generates only 2.37 USD inGDP, or about one-tenth of the world average of 19.42 USD.
In an interview granted to the Vietnam News Agency on the occasion of WorldWater Day on March 22, with the theme “Valuing Water”, Linh said Vietnam hasabundant sources of water, with a total volume of around 9,434 cu m per capita eachyear - higher than regional and global standards.
However, due to reliance upon external sources, the domestic annualvolume is only 4,200 cu m per capita, lower than the average of 4,900 cu m per capitaper year in Southeast Asia, she added.
As Vietnam is one of the countries hit hardest by climate change, waterresources will be severely and quickly affected by uncertain rainfall andrising sea levels.
In recent years, countries in upstream areas have been stepping up theexploitation of water on trans-national rivers, especially in the basins of theMekong and Red Rivers.
The construction of dykes and hydropower plants on the upper reaches ofthe two rivers is a direct threat to water flows in Vietnam and to thecountry’s water security.
According to the World Bank, demand for water during the dry season inVietnam will increase 32 percent by 2030. Eleven out of 16 major basins in thecountry will face tension relating to a lack of water, especially the fourbasins of the Red, Thai Binh, Mekong, and Dong Nai Rivers and basins in thesoutheastern region.
Data shows that for each cu.m of water, Vietnam generates only 2.37 USD inGDP, or about one-tenth of the world average of 19.42 USD.
Hau river flows through Can Tho city (Photo: VNA) ập Vietnam has so far built a comprehensive set of laws meeting the need forwater management in the immediate future, including reviewing and amending theLaw on Water Resources, encouraging economic sectors to develop water resourcesand services, and raising public awareness on the effort.
The country has also approved national planning of water resources,including those in the basins of the Red and Mekong Rivers and other majorbasins.
Linh called for enhancing international cooperation in water resources,especially in improving the efficiency of cooperation with other countries inthe sustainable use and exploitation of trans-national water resources./.
VNA
