Delegates, mainly from the Departments of Natural Resources and Environment in North Vietnam, recommended several changes to the draft revised Law on Environmental Protection, at a conference in Hanoi on June 6. The event was co-held by the General Administration of Environment under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA). Addressing the event, Deputy Minister of MoNRE Bui Cach Tuyen said that after nearly seven years of enforcement, the 2005 Law on Environmental Protection helps minimize impacts on the environment and raise public awareness of environmental protection and state management efficiency. The law, however, shows some shortcomings such as impractical regulations on environmental standards, among others. Participants agreed that the new draft inherits basic contents of the 2005 Law with up-to-date environmental policies. They suggested incorporating environmental planning into the draft as the state values economic development in accordance with environmental protection. Others recommended more specific fines for environmental violations. Environmental pollution in craft villages, industrial parks and residential areas has become a pressing issue. Earlier, the government approved a VND5.86 trillion ($279 million) program to tackle pollution at 47 craft villages and restore the environment at 100 other sites poisoned by pesticide residues as well as treat wastewater in river basins. Pollution remains an obstacle for socioeconomic development in Vietnam as the country reports an estimated loss of 5.5% of its gross domestic product (GDP) each year to rising environmental pollution. (Ha Noi Moi – New Hanoi June 11 p7, vietnamplus.vn June 10)
