Environmental pollution must be stopped, Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Thien Nhan said at an International Environment Day event in Thua Thien Hue this morning.
Like other developing countries, Viet Nam faces major environmental problems. Most daily waste in rural areas and nearly one-fifth of solid waste in urban areas is not collected for treatment, according to Deputy PM Nhan. The wastewater from industrial parks is poured directly into the environment, as few cities have qualified treatment plants.
The annual production of more than 40 million tonnes of rice exerts more pressure on the environment, as rice hay and husk burning results in huge carbon dioxide and dust emissions.
By 2020, Viet Nam aims to recycle 65 per cent of waste and treat 70 per cent of wastewater before releasing it into river basins. To achieve this ambitious goal, Deputy PM Nhan called on ministries, related agencies and Vietnamese citizens to take action.
"The education sector should enhance education on pollution and protecting the environment. Meanwhile, fewer chemical fertilisers and pesticides should be used in farming and farmers must be educated about the harm these can do," he said.
The Deputy PM also asked the forestry sector to get more people involved in tree planting, especially in coastal areas, and called on families to be more conscious about saving food.