National Environment Report 2014 unveiled

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MoNRE) published the National Environment Report 2014 on June 24 with a focus on the rural environment over the past five years.

Bui Cach Tuyen, Deputy Minister of MoNRE speaks at a ceremony announcing the National Environment Report 2014. (Credit: baotainguyenmoitruong.vn)
Bui Cach Tuyen, Deputy Minister of MoNRE speaks at a ceremony announcing the National Environment Report 2014. (Credit: baotainguyenmoitruong.vn)

The report includes six chapters: 1-reform and development in rural areas and the environment; 2-pollution pressure on the rural environment; 3-the current state of the rural environment; 4-impacts of environmental pollution on rural areas; 5-management of the rural environment; and 6-pressing issues in the rural environment and the future direction for protecting rural environments.

Bui Cach Tuyen, Deputy Minister of MoNRE and Head of the Vietnam Environment Administration, said that economic growth over the past five years has had adverse impacts on the environment, not only in cities but also in rural areas, home to 70% of the population.

According to Tuyen, environmental pollution has become a serious problem in many rural areas, caused by a number of reasons including weak management, lack of specialised environmental observation, lack of observational equipment as well as a lack of individual monitors.

He added that most rural localities are met with difficulties in fulfilling the criterion on the environment under the programme on building new-style rural areas.

The report is expected to provide an overview of the environment in rural areas for policy makers to adjust and add policies and solutions to address the problem.