Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Thien Nhan has approved establishment of Hanoi University of Natural Resources and Environment with the aim to train the country’s skilled workforce in the field. The university, which is set up on the foundation of the Natural Resources and Environment College will be managed by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, the Nhan Dan newspaper reported Aug 25. Currently, residents, companies and hospitals in the capital city discharge nearly 458,000 cubic meters of wastewater a day. Of the total volume, 41% is domestic wastewater, 57% industrial wastewater and 2% medical wastewater. Most of untreated wastewater is dumped into the To Lich and Kim Ngu Rivers, causing serious pollution to the rivers. In fact, most of the rivers in the inner city are contaminated with organic bacteria that are three to five times higher than the permitted levels, admitted the ministry. This year, Vietnam will spend VND6 trillion ($315.79 million) for environment protection activities. (Nhan Dan - People Aug 25 p7)
