Water and soil are contaminated with saline in Nhon Hai commune, Ninh Hai district of the south central province of Ninh Thuan (Source: VNA)NinhThuan (VNA) - Water and agricultural land in Nhon Hai commune, Ninh Haidistrict of the south central province of Ninh Thuan has been contaminated withhigh saline levels, affecting local production and livelihoods.
Nearly 400 aquatic production bases of thecommune covering an area of some 100ha have recently released untreated seawater. The sea water absorbed in the soil has contaminated 30ha of agriculturalland with salt.
Aquatic production bases are located incentralised area of Ninh Thuan province but the water treatment system has notbeen completed.
Tran Kim Mien, a farmer in My Tuong 2 village,said in the past two years, due to the saline intrusion, ground water iscontaminated with salt and cannot be used to water plants. He has to stopproduction on several areas of land.
Farmers in the commune have also been forced topurchase land in neighbouring villages where they can dig wells for non-salinewater. Others mix tap water with ground water to dissolve salinity.
Some farmers have even switched from growinggarlic and onions to coriander and other types of vegetables that need lesswater.
Tran Dong Linh, Chairman of the Nhon Hai CommunePeople’s Committee, said local authorities has ordered the construction andexpansion of aquatic production bases, which are located in the north andadjacent to locals’ agricultural land, to be halted. Farmers are allowed toexpand the aquatic production area to the south which faces the sea.
The communal committee also proposed localauthorities finish setting up infrastructure for the centralised aquaticproduction area, harmonise benefits of agricultural development andenvironmental protection.
The commune’s authorities will install standardisedwaste water treatment system and impose strict fines on those who releaseuntreated waste to the environment, the chairman said.
He also asked local authorities would assesssalinity level in the water and soil to have solutions and help farmers.
In Hoai My and Hoai Hai communes of Binh Dinh province’s HoaiNhon district, untreated waste water released from shrimp breeding areaspollutes canals, ponds and rivers making the water saline.
Nguyen Chi Cong, Vice Chairman of the Hoai NhonDistrict People’s Committee, said local authorities have instructed farmerswith techniques and breeding schedules to ensure hygiene and food safety, andprotect environment.-VNA
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