The report entitled 'Rural Environment' was announced by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MONRE), showing that 67% of Vietnamese people living in rural areas are facing pressure from their own production and daily-life activities, along with environmental pollution caused by industrial parks and nearby urban areas.
Environmental pollution, including air, surface water, groundwater, and soil pollution has been reported in several areas, particularly dust pollution and air pollution caused by emissions of NH3, SO2 and NO2 at several industrial zones and craft villages.
The report pointed out the main reasons for the situation: the spontaneous development of production establishments, out-dated technology, small-scale production, and low efficiency of fuel use, along with the lack of awareness of environmental protection.
The report also identified a number of pressing issues in rural areas such as production development without proper care for environmental protection, the inefficiency in the collection and treatment of solid waste, packaging waste and plant protection chemicals, poor management of environmental pollution at craft villages, and the low rate of rural people provided with clean water and proper sanitation.
MONRE Deputy Minister Bui Cach Tuyen was hopeful that the report would become a helpful document for National Assembly deputies, managers, policy makers and researchers to join hands to protect and improve the environment toward sustainable development.
The National Environment Report is made every five years by the MONRE and each year the MONRE produces a thematic report to submit to the National Assembly. In 2014, the thematic report was entitled 'Rural Environment' with the aim of analysing issues related to the rural environment to adjust policies towards a harmony between economic development and environmental protection.