After merging Vinh Long, Ben Tre, and Tra Vinh provinces, there are 5 major rivers in the area with a total length of over 519km, 5 estuaries and more than 500 other rivers and canals, 26 sand mines in operation and 4 dredging projects.
Currently, sand is a scarce raw material, not enough to supply highway projects as well as other construction works.
Many sand mines in the Mekong Delta have run out and have been forced to stop exploitation. The locality has proposed a plan to find other sources of sand, imported from Cambodia, to supply for transport infrastructure projects. The policy of not exploiting in a collective manner to protect the environment is correct.
But illegal sand mining is Regardless, just for money.
The scarcer the sand, the higher the price, illegal sand mining will have huge profits, so many gangs disregard the law and operate widely on the Tien River.
In the article "Meteoring illegal sand mining activities on the Tien River" published on October 1, Lao Dong reporter reported the process of penetrating the "hot spot" and collected many images and evidence of illegal sand mining activities.
According to the reporter's records, illegal sand mining is still rampant, mobilizing many ships and vehicles, organizing activities like a professional corporation, the sound of the boat's engines exploding at night.
The gangs organized guards, ready to chase and attack those who wanted to approach the area they exploited.
Ships without license plates travel busily on the river, sucking sand, transferring sand to large barges. They are bold and reckless, so even though local people know very well, they do not dare to approach.
A resident told the reporter: "They are active every night so no one can sleep, just afraid that they will move and tear up the fish net, breaking the wire is a big loss".
The question is that sand mining activities take place every night, but why can't the local government clean it up?
Illegal sand mining not only wastes the country's resources, but is more dangerous, the long-term consequences are serious landslides.
People living on both sides of the river are suffering the consequences of illegal sand mining, losing land, losing their homes, and fishing vessels for livelihood.
Local authorities must take more drastic action, cannot let gangs operate around the night, both mining sand and destroying the environment.
Failure to prevent and eliminate illegal sand mining is helpless.
In order for the government to crack down on illegal sand mining gangs, the active participation of the people is needed. That is, people have information about the activities of illegal sand mining gangs, and need to boldly denounce criminals.
