Focus on land restoration and drought prevention.

Việt Nam•05/06/2024

In the context of rapidly evolving climate change, the prolonged El Niño phenomenon, causing rainfall shortages and leading to drought and desertification risks, makes land protection and restoration an extremely important task. World Environment Day, June 5th, 2024, was launched by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) with the theme “Land Restoration, Combating Drought and Desertification”. In Phu Tho province, the protection and restoration of land resources is receiving attention, with many mechanisms, policies, and solutions for land use, management, and improvement being implemented synchronously.

The Environmental Monitoring Center of the Department of Natural Resources and Environment analyzes soil environmental quality, providing a basis for evaluating and proposing solutions for soil environmental protection.

Proactive response

According to monitoring data from previous years, the water level of the Thao River continues to gradually decrease year by year. On the Chay River, the water supply from the Thac Ba Hydropower Plant is unstable, resulting in prolonged periods without water. In 2023, water levels on the Lo River, Chay River, Thao River, Da River, and reservoirs in the province dropped to very low levels. Compared to the lowest point of 2022, water levels on these rivers were approximately 0.5-0.7m lower than average, especially on the Lo River, Da River, and Chay River.

In response to this situation, the province has implemented a comprehensive set of solutions to prevent and combat drought and desertification. Annually, the Provincial People's Committee issues documents and plans to proactively implement urgent measures to address the risks of heatwaves, droughts, and water shortages. Relevant departments and agencies implement necessary measures to store water; they focus on urging and directing the acceleration of construction progress to ensure the early completion and commissioning of irrigation and domestic water supply projects. They are also urgently completing the procedures for preparing investment in projects to renovate and upgrade several riverside pumping stations to address the problem of low river water levels.

Comrade Tran Quoc Binh - Deputy Director of the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, said: In order to ensure water for agricultural production and daily life, the Department has proactively issued a drought prevention plan; requiring localities and the Phu Tho State-owned Irrigation Works Exploitation Company Limited to continue effectively implementing the Provincial People's Committee's directive on implementing solutions to adapt to the water shortage situation. The Phu Tho State-owned Irrigation Works Exploitation Company Limited directs irrigation management units to operate the irrigation system rationally and economically; focus on dredging canals and pumping station outlets; repair field and plot embankments to prevent leakage and water loss; manage and use water resources rationally, and repair damaged and degraded irrigation systems. The People's Committees at the district level and relevant units should strengthen propaganda and mobilization efforts among organizations and individuals managing ponds, lakes, and reservoirs in the area, creating favorable conditions and prioritizing the Phu Tho State-owned Irrigation Works Exploitation Company Limited and cooperatives to utilize existing water resources to combat drought and serve production.

The Provincial People's Committee has approved and implemented basic surveys to assess land degradation, soil quality, land potential, and soil pollution. Annually, the province also conducts monitoring and analysis of soil environmental quality. Monitoring results show that soil quality has remained relatively stable over the years, with all analyzed parameters within permissible limits, meeting the needs of agriculture and livestock farming throughout the province. Simultaneously, the province has focused on reforestation and greening barren land to combat drought and erosion, with local authorities effectively implementing these efforts, maintaining a stable forest cover of nearly 40%.

People in An Dao commune, Phu Ninh district, are applying technology to asparagus production, resulting in high yields and economic value.

Positive response

This year's World Environment Day, June 5th, is launched with the theme "Land Restoration, Combating Drought and Desertification," aiming to call on countries worldwide to work together towards the goals of land restoration, combating desertification and drought, slowing down climate change, protecting nature, and enhancing livelihoods and food security for billions of people around the world. World Environment Day focuses on raising awareness and educating Party committees, government agencies, organizations, associations, businesses, and all segments of the population in the province about the importance of environmental protection.

The province continues to direct the implementation of the 2020 Environmental Protection Law and its guiding documents to strengthen activities in managing soil environmental quality. At the same time, it requires departments, specialized units, and localities to focus on reviewing, classifying, and monitoring the changes in soil environmental quality; investigating and assessing areas of polluted or potentially polluted land, ensuring these areas are demarcated; and implementing measures to prevent and minimize desertification and drought in the area. It also strengthens coordination among all levels, sectors, and localities, creating conditions for people to access information and techniques for drought and desertification prevention. Strict control of emissions from construction, industrial, and agricultural activities is enforced, along with regulations on waste sorting at source, ensuring that generated waste is treated to meet environmental protection requirements and national environmental technical standards for the corresponding waste before being discharged into the environment. Promoting the application of advanced, environmentally friendly technologies and circular economy models towards green economic development and sustainable development aims to minimize desertification and respond to and adapt to climate change.

In parallel, in response to World Environment Day and the Month of Action for the Environment, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development is coordinating activities to protect and develop forests, efficiently utilize land resources, and research and apply advanced solutions to effectively use water resources and protect the land surface. Relevant levels and sectors are stepping up research and application of solutions to reduce pollution and minimize the impact of climate change on biodiversity. Governments at all levels are raising awareness and considering land restoration, drought prevention, and desertification as an integral part of socio-economic development plans.

Protecting the soil environment is an urgent, difficult, and complex task that requires the involvement of the entire political system and the concerted efforts of the people. Persistently pursuing the correct goals and solutions set forth to address environmental issues, and ensuring efficient land use coupled with environmental protection, will undoubtedly improve land use indicators, limit desertification, and contribute to the province's sustainable development goals.

Le Oanh

Source: https://baophutho.vn/chu-trong-phuc-hoi-dat-chong-han-han-213110.htm