The increase in the number of greenhouses in Da Lat has had a negative impact on the climate and landscape of this popular tourist city. — Photo nongnghiep.vn

Associate Professor Nguyen Mong Sinh, former chairman of Lam Dong Province’s Union of Science and Technology Associations, said greenhouses should only be used where necessary because high-density development had broken up the scenic landscape of the popular destination.

He said they were also the main cause of agricultural land erosion and flooding.

Nguyen Van Son, vice chairman of Da Lat City's People's Committee, said there were currently no specific regulations on greenhouse planning.

The uncontrolled development of greenhouses at a fast speed had broken the landscape and urban beauty, he said.

Additionally, some types of vegetables and flowers did not suit greenhouses, but many people still tried to grow them.

These greenhouses caused sedimentation in ponds, lakes and stream beds, which would result in flooding in the city, according to Son.

Phan Thanh Sang, chairman of the Da Lat Flower Association, said to ensure the sustainable development of plants and vegetables, greenhouses also needed to have standard cooling systems and ventilation windows.

Authorities needed to map out a plan and develop greenhouses appropriately for each area, except forest land.

The Tay Nguyen (Central Highland) province of Lam Dong has recorded great achievements from hi-tech agricultural development in recent years, including in Da Lat City.

Vegetable and flower greenhouses have been built in most cultivation areas in traditional villages including Thai Phien (Ward 12), Van Thanh (Ward 5), and wards 7 and 8 of Da Lat.

Greenhouses in which owners were applying synchronous hi-tech agricultural solutions have achieved average revenue of VND1 billion to VND3 billion per hectare.

Da Lat's People's Committee reported the city's total agricultural cultivation land was about 10,500 hectares, of which greenhouses accounted for over 2,554 hectares.

From 2017 to 2019, many greenhouses previously used to grow vegetables were switched to growing flowers and strawberries due to their higher economic value.

Citizens living in the centre of the city have also built and developed greenhouses.

Localities with a high density of greenhouses include Ward 12 (with greenhouses accounting for 83.7 per cent of the total cultivation area), while the rate in Ward 5, Ward 7 and Ward 8 is over 60 per cent.

Sang said that thanks to greenhouses, many local businesses and farmers could earn billions of dong each year.

Vo Van Tuan, a resident in Thai Phien Village, said that in recent years the city had been flooded on rainy days because the greenhouses covered the surface area of the soil so the rainwater couldn't seep down.

“It is time to have expert assessment and planning for the development of hi-tech agricultural zones and greenhouse standards in the largest vegetable and flower producing region in Vietnam,” he said. VNS

Problematic: Experts call for regulation of Da Lat’s greenhouses

The installation of greenhouses for vegetable and flower farming in Da Lat City should be strictly regulated to reduce their impact on the environment and landscapes, experts have said.

Greenhouse expansion damaging Da Lat environment

The rapid development of greenhouses for vegetable and flower cultivation in the last two decades has had a negative effect on the environment in the central resort city of Da Lat.