Stifling fishermen's livelihoods
According to reflections from residents of neighborhood 63 (Quy Nhon ward), dozens of individuals in Quy Nhon ward and Quy Nhon Dong ward have used stakes, bamboo pillars, wood and plastic cans, tire shells, fishnets... to encircle many areas of water surface on the Ha Thanh River, the section west of Ha Thanh 3, 4, 5 bridges, to illegally raise aquatic products.
Occupying water surface makes fishermen fishing by boats and sampans face many difficulties in traffic and livelihoods are affected. Spontaneous farming activities also pose a risk of water source pollution, adversely affecting the ecological environment on the river.
Mr. Nguyen Dang (name changed), residing in neighborhood 63, angrily said: "The management of the area is still loose, leading to the situation of dozens of individuals blatantly occupying the water surface of the Ha Thanh River, blocking the flow, blocking the channel of boats...".
Sharing the same frustration, Ms. Le Lam (resident of neighborhood 63) said that most people in groups 48 and 49 live by traditional fishing on the Ha Thanh River. Currently, the river surface is surrounded, blocking the way, so making a living is very difficult. "We request Quy Nhon Ward People's Committee and functional agencies to soon inspect and handle to restore clear water surface for people," Ms. Lam said.
Mr. Muon Van Toan - Secretary of the Party Cell cum Head of neighborhood 63 (Quy Nhon ward) - informed that currently there are about 15 individuals in Quy Nhon ward and Quy Nhon Dong ward occupying the water surface of the Ha Thanh River to spontaneously raise aquatic products. This situation directly affects the livelihoods of about 200 households in groups 48 and 49, who have long lived by traditional river fishing methods.
Solid solutions are needed
Local authorities have repeatedly coordinated with the neighborhood to propagate and mobilize households not to illegally occupy the water surface. However, after dismantling piles, pillars, and surrounding nets for a short time, these cases continue to re-offend.
Regarding the incident, a representative of the Economic Department of Quy Nhon ward said that the water surface of the Ha Thanh River is currently not planned as a aquaculture area, so the farming activities here are all spontaneous and not in accordance with regulations. In the coming time, the locality will organize inspections and thoroughly handle the above situation.
Faced with this situation, Gia Lai Provincial People's Committee has directed communes and wards to urgently inspect and compile a list of cases of violations of the law on dikes, encroachment on riverbanks, riverbeds, flood drainage corridors and the protection scope of dike works. At the same time, focus on thoroughly handling key locations on main river routes such as Ba River, Ayun River, Kon River, Ha Thanh River, Lai Giang River and areas at risk of flooding in residential areas.
The Chairman of the Commune-level People's Committee is fully responsible before the law and the Provincial People's Committee if new violations arise or are delayed in handling, failing to thoroughly handle existing violations in the managed area," Mr. Duong Mah Tiep - Vice Chairman of Gia Lai Provincial People's Committee - emphasized.
Leaders of the Provincial People's Committee also requested localities to proactively organize dredging and clearing of flow in alluvial and blocked areas in accordance with regulations; prioritize handling locations that are frequently flooded, concentrated residential areas, low-lying areas and areas at risk of landslides.
