Climate change

Quang Nam is seeking solutions for the conservation of critically endangered primates living in a primary forest, while creating stable livelihoods for log farmers in Tam My Tay, home to 50 endangered grey-shanked douc langurs. Central province to restore forest for endangered langurs GMS biodiversity conservation corridors to operate from 2019 A gray-shanked douc langur on a tree in Hon Do Mountain in Nui Thanh District of Quang Nam Province. A population of 50 langurs is in danger of extinction due to the expansion of log farms and human activities. — VNS Photo Ai Tam An 120ha-area of acacia log farms provides significant income for 40 households living in the commune, but the development of log farms has pushed the endangered primates to the brink of extinction. A plan to transform the livelihoods of farmers while promoting eco-tour development, reforestation and gardening has been developed by the local authorities as a measure to restrict human activities around … [Read more...] about Forest restoration set to conserve grey-shanked doucs in Quang Nam

Hanoi and HCMC both have some serious air quality issues to grapple with. After using a “beehive coal” stove at her food stall in Nghia Do Market in Hanoi for more than ten years, Ms. Hong Hanh recently changed to a mini gas cooker. Though the cost is higher, she is happy to accept it after seeing warnings about air pollution in the media and being persuaded by local authorities about the harm coal stoves cause. The latter was among recent efforts by authorities to fight air pollution in Hanoi and also in Ho Chi Minh City, which both have hazy skies these days.  Multiple causes Hanoi’s particularly poor air quality over the last few weeks was the result of low air circulation in the atmosphere during the transition between summer and fall, which has become more common in recent years, according to the Vietnam Meteorological and Hydrological Administration. Air could not rise by convection, so there were no cloud formations to produce rain and cleanse the … [Read more...] about Something in the air

Delegates at the opening ceremony. The programme, promoted by the United States Navy in 2004, will last until May 18, with a wide range of activities, including medical examinations for local people, medical expertise exchange, the construction and repair of hospitals and schools, and a conference on natural disaster response, among others. US Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City Mary Tarnowka said that the US wants to join hands with its partners to help Vietnam realise the country’s targets in building capacity to respond to natural calamities and contributing to ensuring the Indo-Pacific as a safe region through PP19 and other humanitarian programmes. Meanwhile, Vice Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Nguyen Chi Hien stressed that the Pacific Partnership programme, successfully held in Vietnam on nine occassions, is a vivid illustration of sound cooperation among regional countries in coping with climate change. This is an opportunity for Phu Yen province … [Read more...] about Pacific Partnership 2019 program opens in Phu Yen

Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Truong Hoa Binh speaks at the event (Photo: VNA)   Ben Tre (VNA) – The fifth Ben Tre Coconut Festival, themed “Coconuts on the Way to Integration and Sustainable Development”, opened in the Mekong Delta city of Ben Tre on November 16 in the presence of National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan. Speaking at the opening ceremony, Vice Secretary of the provincial Party Committee and Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Cao Van Trong said it is the first time the festival has been held in concurrent with the great national unity festival in wards and communes. Ben Tre is now home to over 72,000ha of coconut, accounting for half of the country’s and 80 percent of the Mekong Delta’s total areas. With over 800 million nuts each year, the province earns over 200 million USD from export and its coconut products are available in more than 50 countries and territories at present, he said. In his … [Read more...] about Ben Tre coconut festival 2019 kicks off

Cu Lao Cham Island in the central city of Quang Nam has become overcrowded with tourists, further threatening its natural resources. Cu Lao Cham Island Authorities of Quang Nam’s Hoi An City held a seminar on measures to protect Cu Lao Cham Biosphere Reserve on Friday. According to Dr. Nguyen Van Long, head of Institute of Oceanography, Cu Lao Cham is home to a diverse eco-system with 125 coral reefs and 30 hectares of seagrass. However, rocketing tourist development has critically affected the coverage of corals and seagrass. In the first quarter of this year, the island served nearly 54,000 visitors, up 169% on year from last year. This year, Cu Lao Cham is expected to welcome the same number of visitors as last year. This has also resulted in a freshwater shortage. The increasing number has pressured on local waste treatment facilities which are running on full speed to keep up with the amount of waste discharged, but their capacity still cannot meet demand. Tran Huu … [Read more...] about Solutions proposed to protect Cu Lao Cham amid rising tourist influx