Protecting Cau River from climate change and human impacts

The Cau River section through Song Cau ward has many shallow places.

The upstream of Cau River originates from the south of Phja Bjoóc peak (1,578m high), in Phuong Vien commune, Cho Don district and flows through districts and towns: Bach Thong, Bac Kan city and Cho Moi district, flows into Thai Nguyen province and downstream. In Bac Kan province, Cau River receives about 30 streams, of which the main streams are Khuoi Bun, Don Phong, Nam Cat, Na Cu, Na Cay, Khuoi Lung...

In Bac Kan province, Cau River is 103km long, with a basin area ^{of ​​510km2} , an average annual flow of ^73m3 /s, ^123m3 /s in the flood season, and ^8.05m3 /s in the dry season. The total water volume is about 798 million cubic meters. The river meanders, with a large sinuosity coefficient (>2.0); the riverbed slope is over 10 parts per thousand. Cau River flows through Bac Kan and has two hydroelectric plants, Nam Cat and Thac Gieng.

In recent years, the strong urbanization process and many hydroelectric and irrigation projects have directly affected the flow and water volume of the river. Currently, many sections of the Cau River are shallow and almost bare, many sections are narrowed, the riverbed is eroded, silted up, polluted, and littered. Along with that, many large projects are under construction and domestic wastewater from residential areas also directly affects the water source of the Cau River...

Construction works must ensure environmental safety for the river.

Mr. Nguyen Van Minh, Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture and Environment of Bac Kan province shared: Cau River is not only important for the production and life of the people of Bac Kan province in particular but also for the 5 provinces in the basin in general. It is the main source of water for agricultural irrigation and aquaculture; some flows are used for domestic purposes and electricity production. Most of the cultivation of people living along both banks of the river depends on the water source of Cau River. In recent years, the production and business of people have increased, the cultivation activities using pesticides, domestic wastewater, and soil and rocks for construction of traffic works have impacted the water environment of the river.

The impact of climate change increases the risk of water resource depletion in the dry season, causing prolonged drought; in the rainy season, localized floods and flash floods form, causing damage to people, property, agriculture, etc. of the people, and eroding cultivated land. According to experts, the water quality of rivers and streams in the Cau River basin is beginning to show signs of local pollution, with a fairly high organic content. Most of the waste discharged into the river has not been treated or has not been treated to standards.

Domestic wastewater directly affects the water source of Cau River.

To improve the above situation, it is necessary to strengthen the protection of existing protective and special-use forests in the Cau River basin. Enhance the CO2 absorption capacity of natural forests, contributing to reducing air pollution and water pollution.

Strengthening propaganda and education on environmental protection, ecology and landscape of Cau River basin. Strengthening community participation, maintaining mass movement to participate in environmental protection; replicating self-management models, typical advanced models of environmental protection in the community, in production, business and service activities. Strengthening the effectiveness and efficiency of state management on environmental protection of Cau River basin. Strengthening inspection, examination and handling of organizations, units and individuals with violations.

Prioritize the allocation of investment capital from the state budget to build infrastructure for environmental protection. Mobilize and call for international aid capital and ODA loans. Encourage and call for businesses and units to invest in environmental protection projects and waste treatment facilities. Have policies and mechanisms to encourage and mobilize the participation of the community and businesses in the socialization of environmental protection./.

Tran Tuyen

Source: https://baobackan.vn/bao-ve-song-cau-truoc-bien-doi-khi-hau-va-tac-dong-cua-con-nguoi-post70267.html