Scientists, researchers and officials from Quang Nam Province and Da Nang on N​ovember 21 discussed the management of the Vu Gia-Thu Bon river basin in the Quang Nam-Da Nang coastal area.

The Vu Gia-Thu Bon basin, the 9^th largest in Viet Nam with 10,350sq.km, discharges more than 20.22 billion cubic metres a day and is home to 2.5 million people.

However, the operations of 42 hydropower plants, 79 reservoirs, 358 dams and 147 pumping stations are causing serious problems for State agencies in terms of balancing economic growth and environmental protection.

Flood damage on a section of road near Da Nang

Nguyen Chu Hoi, a researcher on the environment and coastal resources at the National University, said the destruction of riverhead forests, over-exploitation of mineral resources, decentralised management of rivers and faulty development of hydropower plants had caused serious floods, epidemics at aquaculture centres and mass losses of marine life.

The boom in hydropower plants along the Vu Gia-Thu Bon river has helped to meet Viet Nam's growing energy demand, but has caused serious environmental and social impacts.

The latest report showed that more than 30 percent of water in the river system is impounded due to the large number of dams.

Jake Brunner from the International Union for Conservation of Nature said the Vu Gia-Thu Bon river basin had short and steep watersheds with highly seasonal flow, and generated large volumes of sediment that had direct and immediate impacts on the downstream environment.

(Source: VNA)