Rules for formulating water resources planning in Vietnam

Rules for formulating water resources planning in Vietnam (Internet image)

1. Rules for formulating water resources planning in Vietnam

Article 16 of the Law on Water Resources 2012 amend 2018 stipulates the rules for formulating water resources planning

- The water resources planning and comprehensive planning for inter-provincial river basins and watercourses shall be formulated under regulations of the law on planning and the following rules:

+ The balance between surface water and underground water, between extraction and use of water resources and protection of water resources, prevention and remedy against damages caused by water is ensured;

+ Even distribution of benefits of water use among local authorities and ministries, between upstream and downstream is ensured;

+ Results of baseline surveys of water resources are based on.

- International planning for protection, extraction and use of water resources shall be formulated under the agreement between countries sharing watercourses and the rules specified in Points a and b Clause 1 of Article 16 of the Law on Water Resources 2012 amend 2018.

- In the cases where the planning that involves extraction and use of water resources is inconsistent with the approved comprehensive planning for inter-provincial river basins and watercourses, it shall be adjusted and implemented according to the water resources planning.

2. Bases for formulating comprehensive planning for inter-provincial river basins and watercourses in Vietnam

Article 17 of the Law on Water Resources 2012 amend 2018 stipulates the bases for formulating comprehensive planning for inter-provincial river basins and watercourses as follows:

- Water resources strategy and water resources planning.

- Natural and socio-economic characteristics and specific conditions of each river basin and region, true potentials of watercourses and forecast of impacts of climate change on water resources.

- Demand for extraction and use of water by departments, local authorities and environmental protection authorities.

- Results of baseline surveys of water resources.

- Technical norms, standards and regulations promulgated by the competent authority.

- Regulations of international treaties to which the Socialist Republic of Vietnam is a signatory in the cases where the planning is related to international watercourses.

- Tasks of formulating the approved planning.

3. Dissemination and education of water resources in Vietnam

Article 5 of the Law on Water Resources 2012 amend 2018 stipulates the dissemination and education of water resources as follows:

- Ministries, ministerial-level agencies, People’s Committees at levels within their duties, powers shall coordinate with mass information agencies and training, educational facilities to disseminate, educate on water resources, guide people for implementing measures of water resource protection, use water in saving, effectiveness and comply with provisions of law on water resources.

- The Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee and organizations being its member within their duties, powers shall coordinate with state management agencies of water resources to disseminate, mobilize People to participate in water resource protection, using water in saving, effectiveness and comply with provisions of law on water resources;

Supervising protection, exploitation, use of water resources, prevention of, combat against and overcoming of harmful effect caused by water.

Ngoc Nhi

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