Hue City People's Committee has just issued a directive on strengthening the management and protection of aquatic resources in the area.
It is noteworthy that this directive for the first time establishes areas completely prohibiting seafood exploitation activities on many river routes in the inner city such as: the Perfume River from Nguyen Hoang bridge to Dap Da - Gia Hoi bridge and the Ngu Ha, Dong Ba, An Cuu rivers, in order to protect aquatic ecosystems and preserve the urban landscape of heritage, serving tourism development.
Over the years, although the work of managing, preserving and regenerating aquatic resources in Hue city has been concerned and implemented by all levels and sectors. However, destructive aquatic exploitation still occurs, especially in the Huong River, Ngu Ha River, lagoon areas and intra-field areas.
Forms such as using electric pulses, scratching the bottom with iron frames or blowing pumps not only exterminate aquatic species but also destroy the underwater living environment.
When these exploitation methods appear right in the rivers flowing through the city center, its impact is not only limited to the story of aquatic resources but also directly affects the ecological environment and urban landscape.
Therefore, the establishment of prohibited aquatic exploitation areas on inner-city river routes is a very necessary decision in the current context. When exploitation activities are terminated, the habitat of aquatic species will have conditions to recover. Natural aquatic resources will be regenerated over time, contributing to improving the water ecosystem.
It is noteworthy that in many other localities, the management of seafood exploitation mainly stops at measures such as prohibiting the use of destructive fishing gear, prohibiting seasonal exploitation or zoning to protect aquatic resources within a certain scope. The complete ban on all forms of exploitation on inner-city river routes like Hue's approach can be said to be pioneering.
In the world, many cities have long considered rivers flowing through the center as special landscape assets and are very strictly managed.
Singapore once carried out a campaign to clean up the Singapore River and end exploitation and polluting activities to turn this place into a tourist and community living space. In Seoul (South Korea), the Cheonggyecheon stream is restored and managed as an ecological park in the heart of the city...
For Hue, the Perfume River has long become a symbol of the city. Other rivers such as Ngu Ha, Dong Ba or An Cuu also contribute to creating the characteristic space structure of the ancient city. When rivers are protected, their value lies not only in fish and shrimp but also in the living environment, landscape and cultural identity.
Of course, for the ban to be truly effective, patrols, inspections and violation handling need to be carried out regularly. Besides, there is the participation of the community, because when people understand that protecting the river is also protecting their living environment, such regulations will receive widespread consensus.
For a heritage city like Hue, preserving the freshness and peace of the water flowing through the inner city is also a way to preserve the soul of the city.
