Zoning needed to protect Delta
Phuoc Buu
 |
|
Workers build embankments to prevent landslides at Lo Voi Canal in Can Tho City. The Cuu Long (Mekong) Delta is among the most vulnerable in the world to the effects of climate change. — VNA/VNS Photo Thanh Vu |
HCM CITY —
Zoning residential and farming areas in the Cuu Long (Mekong) Delta is vital to its development in the context of climate change but that should be done in a flexible and "wise" manner, scientists have said.
The delta is among the most vulnerable in the world to the fallouts of climate change like rises in sea level and temperature and the incidence of storms.
Dr Duong Van Ni, a member of the national Steering Committee for Master Planning for the Cuu Long (Mekong) Delta towards Climate Change said it is not advisable to build dams on river estuaries in the delta.
Speaking at a meeting held by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development in HCM City yesterday, he said: "Dams will hold seawater that pours onto the land due from flowing back into the sea - and the water will increase salinity on land."
He gave the example of the Mississippi River and dams built by oil companies along the New Orleans coast in the US. "The dams have hindered the natural tidal mechanism and river flow and so now they have been excavated."
Other scientists on the steering committee raised concern about the reduction in water flow and quality due to the activities of countries upstream of the Mekong.
Discussing a master plan for Cuu Long (Mekong) Delta, Prof Nguyen Ngoc Tran said: "Challenge to the delta is a combined challenge that comes from both the sea and the upper part of the Mekong.
"So a master plan needs to cover all problems that could be originated from the challenge."
Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Cao Duc Phat said the master plan, meant for 2011-15, will be submitted to the Government for approval.
The plan envisages building five manually operated dams to prevent salination and hold floodwaters.
It seeks to build embankments to protect lowlands, dykes in coastal urban areas to prevent salination and retain fresh water, and ground will be raised to safeguard from floods.
But the scientists on the committee agreed unanimously that the plan lacks flexibility to adapt to climate change and environmental impacts.
Planners have failed to have an overview on the use of common water resources, they said, adding Viet Nam will be affected by how countries in the upper Mekong region use the river water.
Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Dao Xuan Hoc admitted the effect, adding that the plan has not factored in the impacts of climate change on river islets, traffic in the delta, and the number of pumping stations that will be built for irrigation.
"Only two dams that are under construction are needed and we have to reconsider Ham Luong, Cung Hau, and Co Chien," Hoc said.
Phat ordered the Southern Irrigation Planning Institute to gather opinions and speed up work on the plan due to "its significance to the socio-economic development of the delta."
The ministry needed to complete the plan by October to submit it to the Government, he said. — VNS