Holding to the river, it seems like luck. But no. The Nhue, To Lich, and Cau Ab rivers have been ranked among the most polluted rivers in Hanoi for about 30 years.
Hanoi was once known as the "city of rivers and lakes". However, in the rapid urbanization, rivers closely associated with the lives of residents such as Nhue, Day, Ngu Huyen Khe or Cau Bai are gradually becoming "dead rivers". The severe pollution is not only an environmental pain but also a major challenge for the sustainable development of the capital.
Data from the Hanoi People's Committee shows that the pollution in these rivers has reached the red alert level. Black water, foul odor, low soluble oxygen content, aquatic life were almost completely destroyed. This is the result of direct discharge from residential areas, craft villages, and factories without treatment, which has lasted for many years. Behind that is lax management, a lack of strong sanctions, and especially the mindset of "developing at all costs" that forgets the environment.
The city has just issued a plan to urgently deploy solutions to strengthen the control and treatment of water pollution in the Nhue River, Day River, Ngu Huyen Khe River, Cau Bao River and the Bac Hung Hai irrigation system.
Looking at Hanoi's plan with 5 groups of solutions and 14 specific tasks, it can be seen that it is a remarkable effort: Investing in environmental technical infrastructure, installing automatic monitoring systems, strictly handling violations, even temporarily suspending licensing for projects that do not meet environmental requirements. However, the success of the plan does not lie in the number of documents but in the determination in implementation and supervision.
Rescuing rivers is not simply about handling pollution, but also an awareness in urban planning and development, in the attitude of the government and people towards the environment. When the river no longer has life, that is also the time when we lose a part of the soul of Hanoi.
Hanoi cannot be a green, livable city if it continues to let its rivers be poisoned every day. Rescuing major rivers is an urgent action to preserve natural heritage, protect public health and build a sustainable development capital.
The value of Hanoi's landscape, environment, and tourism will increase many times if rivers revive. To pollute is Hanoi wasting a huge resource for development. The government is at fault for the people of the capital for polluting the river.
