The approval of the Law on Water Resources and National Strategy for environmental protection through 2020, the introduction of climate change and sea level rise scenarios for Viet Nam are among top ten events of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MONRE) in 2012.
10th founding anniversary
The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment organized a ceremony on August 5 to mark its 10th founding anniversary and receive Ho Chi Minh Order.
Over the past decade, State management over natural resources and environment has been enhanced, related policies have been improved and the sector’s apparatus has been consolidated, effectively contributing to the country’s socio-economic development.
Review of the implementation of Party’s Resolution on land policies
A conference to review the implementation of the 9th Party Central Committee’s Resolution on reforming land policies took place in Ha Noi on December 26.
The outcomes of the conference provided the basis for the Party to issue Resolution 19-NQ/TW on continuing renovation of land policies in a bid to create background for Viet Nam to become a basically modern-oriented industrial country by 2020.
Under the Resolution 19-NQ/TW, land belongs to the entire people with the State as the representative owner. Land use right is a special asset and commodity but it is not the ownership right. Land use right is stipulated in accordance with each type of land, each object and form of land lease and allocation.
The State exercises ownership right through deciding land use planning and land use plans; permitting conversion of land use purpose and deciding land use duration; determining land prices; deciding the policy for regulating the increased value of land not accruing from investment by land user; granting land use right and recovering land for national defense and security purposes, national and public interests and socio-economic development projects in accordance to legal regulations.
Land user that the State allocates, sublease land and recognizes land use right for stable and long-term basis or a term shall have the right to exchange, assign, lease, sublease, inherit, mortage, and contribute capital using land use right and shall be paid compensation when the State recovers land on the basis of land types and land use source in accordance with legal regulations.
Approval of Law on Water Resources
The Law on Water Resources was approved by the National Assembly on June 21 at its 3rd session.
The Law marks a substantial change in water management mechanisms as water is considered as an important asset of the country.
National Strategy for Environmental Protection through 2020
PM Nguyen Tan Dung on September 5 ratified the National Strategy for Environmental Protection through 2020, vision to 2030. Earlier on September 2, the Government chief approved the National Target Program to overcome pollution and improve the environment.
The National Strategy affirms that human beings are the center of sustainable development which lasts throughout the process of national development.
Introduction of climate change and sea level rise scenarios
The Climate Change and Sea Level Rise Scenarios for Viet Nam was made public on May 23. This is the second time Viet Nam announces this kind of documents.
Compared to the first scenarios published in 2009, this year’s scenarios show that some of climate indexes are increasingly worsening. The updated scenarios also specify the levels of flood in every province and city.
Completion of Project on building and perfecting the national gravity system
After 10 years, the Project on building and perfecting the national gravity system was completed, providing a set of basic gravity data for the measurement of gravity on land and at sea.
Recognition of two Ramsar sites
Tram Chim and Mui Ca Mau National Parks were recognized by the Ramsar Convention Secretariat as the Ramsa sites.
At present, Viet Nam has six Ramsa sites, including Xuan Thuy Natural Wetland Reserve in the northern province of Nam Dinh, which was recognized in 1988; the Bau Sau (Crocodile Lake) Wetlands and Seasonal Floodplains in Cat Tien National Park, selected in 2005; and Ba Be National Park in Bac Kan northern province, recognized in 2011.
Underground water source found in Dong Van Rock Plateau
The Northern Division for Water Resources Planning and Investigation has confirmed its discovery of a significant source of underground water in the northern mountainous Ha Giang Province's Meo Vac District.
The quality and quantity of the water source satisfy the needs of the local people living in Dong Van Rock Plateau.
Local people have suffered from a lack of water for a long time, impacting both their daily needs and agricultural production.
Winning of Asian prize for “Green E-Government”
The Viet Nam Environment Administration won Asian 3rd prize for “Green E-Government” which was given to to agencies with excellent information technology applications.
Establishment of database center
The center provides information of seven fields of State management.