The Peoples’ Committee of Thua Thien-Hue disclosed that they had seized 11 vehicles transporting illegally quarried sand from the Huong River.
The Huong River flows through the centre of Hue city where most of the relics of the past imperial city are situated. Presently, illegal sand quarrying is slowly causing the Huong River to change its course.
The World Heritage Centre has asked Vietnam to apply to UNESCO for recognition of the Huong River as a world heritage site. The sand along the upper banks of the river, the largest water reserve in Thua Thien - Hue Province, has already been quarried extensively as demand for sand on construction sites increases.
Authorities investigating found that 25 out of 33 sand quarries along the Huong River did not have licenses or their licenses had expired and 31out of the 33 quarries had not signed the pledge to protect the environment.
Some exploiters were using 70-100 cubic meter barges, replacing the small wooden boats, while plying on the river. Hundreds of cubic meters of sand are being transported daily to Hue on these barges.
The riverbanks have become barren and bereft of biological diversity. Hundreds of houses, including some recognized as cultural and historical relics along the banks, like Bai Chau Fall and Dien Hon Chen are likely to be lost in landslides in times to come.
Phan Ngoc Tho, Deputy Chairman of the Peoples’ Committee of Thua Thien-Hue Province said that it had asked relevant departments to tackle illegal sand exploiters.
Earlier, Sai Gon Giai Phong reporters had warned of illegal sand quarrying through news articles. However, the problem has still not been resolved.
