VietNamNet Bridge – The 10 most outstanding environment events have been selected by environment reporters. The forest protection and the punishment on the enterprises which discharged dirty water into the environment are in the highlights.

South East Asian longest lava cavern discovered in Vietnam

The scientists from the Tropical Biology Institute have announced the discovery of a lava originated cavern in the southern province of Dong Nai.

In February 2013, the scientists, joining forces with the scientists from Germany, surveyed 11 lava caverns with the total length of 1.8 kilometers.

The cavern included Hang Doi (Bat Cave) in Tan Phu district. The largest space of the cave reportedly has the height of 4 meters and width of 10 meters.

Nicotex Thanh Thai buried pesticide under the earth

In August 2013, local people excavated 843 tons of pesticide under the earth within the campus of Nicotex Thanh Thai Company.

In September, Deputy Chair of Thanh Hoa province Nguyen Duc Quyen released the decision on imposing the fine of VND420 million for the environment law violation and suspending the company’s operation until it can fix the problems.

Nicotex Thanh Thai has been reportedly uncooperative with relevant parties in excavating and treating the toxic chemicals which have been put under the earth for the last many years, thus polluting the soil and the underground water.

Dong Nai 6 and Dong Nai 6A hydropower projects stopped

In September 2013, the Prime Minister released the decision on canceling the implementation of Dong Nai 6 and Dong Nai 6A hydropower projects, putting an end to the long debate about their pros and cons.

The decision was released after scientists and environment organizations proved that the projects would cause serious consequences to the natural environment

Muntiacus vuquangensis discovered in Saola reserve

On October 23, Director of the Saola sanctuary in Thua Thien-Hue province Le Ngoc Tuan announced the discovery of the images of Muntiacus vuquangensis, the rare and precious animal living in the wild.

WWF is now assisting the Saola Sanctuary to carry out patrol activities to protect the forest and place camera traps in the reserve in an effort to seek the animals.

Camellia Krempfii (Gagnep) Sealy flower found after 100 years

On November 2, the Da Lat University stated that it discovered a population of camellia flowers in Hon Giao of Khanh Hoa province.

The discoverers were Luong Van Dung from the university and two officers from Bidoup National Park Pham Huu Nhan and Truong Quang Cuong.

The plants were found at the height of 800 meters.

Trouble occurred on titanium exploitation site

In November, the tank containing water for filtering titanium ore broke in Ham Thuan Nam district of Binh Thuan province.

As a result, the red mud flowed to the roads, the coastal casuarina protective forests, nearby resorts and to the sea. This was not the first time the trouble occurred.

Hao Duong leather tanning company forced to suspend operation

Hao Duong, which many times had to pay fine for its behavior of discharging waste water into the environment since 2005, was once again caught red handed as discharging dirty water to the Dong Dien river in October 2013.

Prime Minister tells to close natural forests from 2014

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung affirmed at a conference on the socio-economic development that Vietnam will close natural resources in 2014 to help the forest rehabilitation.

There are 10.5 million hectares of natural forests, including 4 million hectares of protective forests and 2 million hectares of special use forests.

Infonet