Hundreds of notable scientists from around the world will gather in Binh Dinh for a conference next month to discuss environmental pollution recovery and management.

The gathering was announced at a Wednesday working session in Ha Noi between leaders of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, Binh Dinh’s People’s Committee and Professor Tran Thanh Van - Founder of Rencontres du Vietnam (Meeting Viet Nam).

The third international conference, scheduled to take place on March 8-10 in the province’s Quy Nhon City, will serve as a venue for domestic and international scientists to discuss and share experiences with environmental pollution assessment and its impact on people’s health and environment management.

They will also seek measures to increase co-operation in research, education and training.

Dak Nong spends over VND200 billion upgrading water system

The Central Highlands province of Dak Nong will allocate more than VND200 billion (US$8.7 million) to expand clean water systems and sanitation projects in rural areas from 2016-2021.

Of the sum, VND184 billion ($8.06 million) comes from World Bank loans, with the remainder coming from the province’s capital.

Up to 33 clean water works will be upgraded or built to serve about 45,000 residents in rural and remote areas. Clean water systems and sanitation projects in 46 schools and 2,200 toilets for rural households will also be built.

After the projects, the province hopes that 90 per cent of rural residents will have access to clean water, while all schools and medical stations will have water works and toilets.

Local officials and people will also be given training courses in sanitation and water preservation.

About 83 per cent of the province’s population had access to clean water in 2016. However, the rate is low in rural and remote areas, according to the provincial Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.

Fires threaten Tay Ninh forests

More than 50,000ha of protective and special-use forests in the south-eastern province of Tay Ninh face the risk of fire due to the prolonged hot, dry weather.

To prevent forest fires, the local Forest Plan and Development Steering Committee is closely monitoring large tracts in high-risk areas.

The high-risk areas include Chang Riec special-use forest, Dau Tieng protective forest, Lo Go-Xa Mat National Park and Nui Ba historical forest.

The steering committee has called on district authorities to strengthen their capacity to promptly tackle unexpected blazes.

According to forest managers, firefighting forces are well prepared with tractors, hoses and other devices and have built reservoirs and firebreaks to combat fires.

The Dau Tieng protective forest management has asked for funds to build two more observation towers at important areas with a complex terrain and farmlands.

Last year there were 20 fires which damaged more than 60ha of natural and man-made forests, mainly in Dau Tieng, according to the local sub-department of forest protection.

Forty six other fires also destroyed 140ha of reforested areas.

VNS