Many voters across the country have expressed concern over the shortcomings in the use and management of land and natural resources and the increasing environmental pollution, Lao Dong newspaper reported, citing a report delivered by Tran Thanh Man, president of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee, at the National Assembly’s sixth sitting on October 22.

Tran Thanh Man, president of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee, at the National Assembly’s sixth sitting on October 22

According to the report, the people had complained that the land use and natural resources exploitation in some localities did not match the approved plan, while deforestation remained rampant as well.

In addition, flaws in site clearance for some projects and the compensation for affected residents had sparked public concern, leading to lengthy protests and lawsuits.

Voters proposed the Government assign the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, the Government Inspectorate and the governments of localities to review the management and use of land and natural resources, and enhance dialogues between the local authorities and residents in settling land disputes, said Man.

The people also expected land to be taken back for development projects in a transparent manner, ensuring the interests of the people, the State and enterprises.

The Government should also require the competent agencies and local governments to assume responsibility for environmental problems, encourage enterprises and the locals to protect the environment, invest heavily in environmental protection, closely control the exploitation of natural resources and impose tough penalties on violators.

At the sitting, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc admitted that land and natural resources have been wasted, partly due to the inefficient management of the relevant agencies. Besides this, some mineral exploitation and processing facilities, industrial parks and traditional craft villages have caused environmental pollution, leading to complaints and lawsuits by the locals.

He pointed out that the issuance of licenses for natural resource exploitation had been tightened, while heavy sanctions have been imposed on those caught illegally exploiting sand, rock and forests. In addition, the Government had enhanced environmental protection by intensifying control over projects carrying a high risk of environmental pollution, prioritizing hi-tech and environmentally friendly projects, amending unreasonable regulations, improving the environmental impact assessment and calling for the treatment of wastewater and solid waste.

The Government had set a target that next year, 89% of operational industrial parks and export processing zones would have standard wastewater treatment systems. Moreover, the forest coverage rate was expected to reach 41.85%.

SGT