Focus on directing the implementation of the Scheme for preventing and combating riverbank and coastal erosion in Vietnam until 2030

Focus on directing the implementation of the Scheme for preventing and combating riverbank and coastal erosion in Vietnam until 2030 (Image from the internet)

On June 18, 2024, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (Hanoi, Vietnam) issued Official Dispatch 4341/BNN-DD concerning the focus on directing the implementation of the Scheme for preventing and combating riverbank and coastal erosion until 2030.

Focus on directing the implementation of the Scheme for preventing and combating riverbank and coastal erosion in Vietnam until 2030

Implementing the directives of the Prime Minister of Vietnam on summarizing and evaluating the results of the implementation of the Scheme for preventing and combating riverbank and coastal erosion until 2030 (Scheme) approved under Decision 975/QD-TTg dated July 06, 2020, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development has requested the provinces and cities across the country to compile and report on the assessment of three years of implementation of the Scheme. After reviewing the assessment reports from 63/63 provinces/cities, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (Hanoi, Vietnam) noted that: most localities have proactively mobilized resources to implement the contents of the Scheme, including both non-structural and structural measures contributing to stabilizing the livelihoods, infrastructure of riverbank, stream, canal communities (riverbank), coastal areas, gradually achieving the goals of the Scheme. However, during the implementation, some localities were confused, lacked decisive direction, and some activities were performed superficially, with low effectiveness, especially in implementing non-structural solutions.

To capitalize on the achieved results and overcome the limitations and deficiencies in the past time, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (Hanoi, Vietnam) requests the People's Committees of provinces and cities, according to their functions and tasks assigned, to continue directing the implementation of the contents of the Scheme, focusing on deploying several main contents as follows:

- Focus on directing to strengthen communication, dissemination of legal regulations, raising awareness of organizations, communities, and people about preventing and combating riverbank and coastal erosion so that organizations and individuals can comply voluntarily.

- Monitor, detect, prevent, and handle promptly violations of regulations on protecting, using riverbeds, banks, and beaches, especially illegal housing construction, structures on rivers, and illegal sand and gravel mining in riverbeds and coastal areas, increasing the risk of riverbank and coastal erosion.

- Strictly manage the use and development of mangrove forests associated with stabilizing local livelihoods; control and effectively prevent livelihood activities that degrade coastal mangrove forests.

- Inspect, review, classify riverbank and coastal erosion areas, prioritize and mobilize resources for implementation, focusing on:

+ Installing erosion warning signs; organizing the relocation of households living in eroding areas, especially those in critically dangerous erosion zones to ensure safety for people and property.

+ Building protective structures in populated areas, critical infrastructure not possible to relocate; if the local budget cannot cover, report to the Prime Minister of Vietnam for consideration and support according to the regulations of the Public Investment Law and the State Budget Law.

+ Integrating riverbank and coastal erosion prevention contents into related programs, schemes, and projects being implemented in the province or city.

- Summarize resource mobilization models for constructing erosion prevention embankments to protect riverbanks and coastlines with multiple purposes as a basis for expansion, reducing pressure on the state budget.

- Review households living in eroding or high-risk erosion areas to include them in the Resettlement Program for regions: natural disasters, particularly difficult areas, borders, islands, free migration conservation forests for the 2021-2025 period, oriented until 2030 as directed by the Prime Minister of Vietnam in Decision 590/QD-TTg dated May 18, 2022, as a basis for implementation.

- Strengthen inspection, supervision, and guidance for localities and provincial departments and authorities involved in the implementation of the Scheme; promptly remove difficulties and obstacles, gradually achieving the goals of the Scheme.

More details can be found in Official Dispatch 4341/BNN-DD issued on June 18, 2024.

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