On March 19, Lao Dong Newspaper published an article "Gam River is in disarray due to sand mining activities" about sand mining activities on the Gam River flowing through Co Ba commune.
Immediately after the reflection, the Department of Agriculture and Environment (DONRE) of Cao Bang province issued document No. 365/SNNMT-TTr on inspecting the situation of sand, transportation and consumption on the Gam River.
"The Department of Natural Resources and Environment requests the People's Committee of Bao Lac district to preside over and coordinate with relevant agencies to urgently conduct an inspection of the situation of sand, transportation and consumption of gravel and sand at the Gam river section flowing through Co Ba commune, Khanh Xuan and Bao Lac town, which is at risk of causing environmental pollution, decreasing water quality and risk of riverbank landslides, violating regulations on management of mineral and environmental resources. Timely shock and handle violations (if any)" - the document stated.
According to the actual record on March 18 of the reporter, there are at least two sand mining sites in operation. Sand mixed in soil, rocks, and gravel is put into 2 screening systems by excavators.
After separation, the sand is deposited in a small, pre- dug lake, while the cloudy wastewater flows downstream. The sand is then loaded onto trucks for transportation for consumption.
The exploitation activities take place near the upstream area of the Gam River, above the location of the Bao Lac A hydropower project under construction. Each section of the river has exploitation, the water color is completely different.
On March 19, speaking with reporters, Mr. Vu Van De - Chairman of Bao Lac District People's Committee said that all of these activities are illegal, the District People's Committee will direct Co Ba commune to go to the scene to check and handle them immediately.
Witnessing the river water source being violated, people in Bao Lac town expressed concern: "The Gam River is the main source of water for the local clean water plant. If sand is exploited everywhere like this, we are very worried about the quality of domestic water sources".
Talking to reporters, Mr. Nguyen Truong Phuong - Chairman of the People's Committee of Co Ba commune said: "The local leaders have a policy of exploiting river sand and gravel to serve a number of social projects. However, if used for other purposes, selling it to people is wrong.
The head of the People's Committee of Co Ba commune affirmed that he would conduct a field inspection and take immediate measures to handle illegal sand mining activities.
The Gam River (also known as the Gam River) is an important confluence of the Lo River, originating from Guangxi Province, China. The river section flowing through Bao Lac and Bao Lam districts is about 55km long.
For generations, the Gam River has been the lifeline of many ethnic communities such as Dao, H'Mong, Tay, Nung... living along both banks. However, the river is currently seriously threatened by sand mining activities.
