Protecting water resources

Possessing abundant natural resources, especially surface water and groundwater with a dense river and stream system, the province's precious source of life is facing unprecedented challenges due to the increase in socio-economic development activities and the increasingly severe impacts of climate change.

Officers of the Department of Agriculture and Environment inspect the wastewater treatment system of Son Duong Sugar Factory.

According to a report from the Department of Agriculture and Environment, in recent years, heat waves and heavy rains, especially heavy rains occurring over a large area, are causing extreme weather phenomena that greatly disrupt the hydrological cycle.

Since the beginning of the year, the province has experienced 20 natural disasters of all kinds. Prolonged heat waves in the dry season have caused localized droughts, affecting agricultural production and people's lives, especially in mountainous areas. Meanwhile, during the rainy season, there have been extreme heavy rains causing floods, landslides, polluting and washing away irrigation works, directly threatening the quality and quantity of water resources. This change is not simply a matter of water shortage or water surplus, extreme natural disasters caused by climate change lead to a decline in water quality due to increased pollution levels in the dry season and an increase in pathogens in the rainy season. Typically, the floods in late September and early October destroyed 71 irrigation and clean water works, affecting the water sources for production and daily life of hundreds of thousands of households.

Mr. Ban Van Khan, Ngoa village, Yen Phu commune said: The historic flash flood at the end of September buried the water source area and the water pipeline system of the water supply project, so his family and many households in the village had many difficulties in finding water for daily use for many days afterward, dozens of households in Ngoa village no longer had clean water to use.

Comrade Phung The Hieu, Head of the Department of Geology, Minerals and Water Resources (Department of Agriculture and Environment) said: Climate change is putting Tuyen Quang in a difficult position, having to manage both water scarcity and surplus. This requires a flexible, multi-dimensional and long-term water management strategy. According to Comrade Phung The Hieu, forests help retain soil, prevent erosion, slow down surface runoff and replenish groundwater. Recognizing this role, Tuyen Quang has been implementing many programs to plant and protect upstream forests, especially in areas around large hydroelectric reservoirs such as Tuyen Quang, Chiem Hoa and the Gam and Mien river systems... Key solutions implemented include: Controlling and strictly handling illegal deforestation; encouraging local people to actively participate in forest management, protection and development; making people beneficiaries and the subjects of water resource protection; restoring forest ecology in a sustainable manner, increasing the water retention capacity of the soil. Besides planting and protecting forests, the province also strictly controls production activities that negatively impact water resources.

In the context of complex climate change, the application of technology also plays an important role in controlling water resources. Ms. Vu Thi Thu, Director of the Provincial Hydrometeorological Station, said: The unit has installed automatic monitoring stations, continuously transmitting data on water quality and flow in rivers, streams, and reservoirs. This helps to forecast early the risks of drought or flood, providing accurate data for water resource regulation.

The province also closely coordinates with neighboring provinces to exploit and protect common water resources; regulate hydroelectric reservoirs on river and stream systems to harmonize the goals of power generation, flood control and water supply for downstream areas...

Protecting water resources is not only the responsibility of the government but also a vital task for the whole society. By combining the protection of upstream forests, pollution control, and technology application, active participation from the community is also needed. Only then can we build a solid shield against climate change, ensuring clean water and water security for present and future generations.

Article and photos: Tuan Quang

Source: https://baotuyenquang.com.vn/xa-hoi/202511/bao-ve-tai-nguyen-nuoc-f057125/