Residents still dump in cleaned-up canal - Environment

Updated

October, 13 2012 09:00:52

Residents still dump in cleaned-up canal

HCM CITY — The HCM City People's Committee has ordered the Department of Transport to ensure districts and wards fulfill their commitment to keep the Nhieu Loc-Thi Nghe Canal clean and free of waste.

The local authorities have also promised to keep the streets running along the canal tidy.

In June the city officially announced the revival of the canal from being a dead one after being heavily polluted for several decades. Residents along the canal have, however, yet to change their habit of dumping waste into it.

They also occupy pavements and roads along the canal.

The committee also ordered the department to come up with a solution for these problems.

Meanwhile, the Urban Traffic Management Unit 1 has to complete installation of more rubbish bins on streets besides the canal before Monday.

After the high tide receded last week in many places the canal banks were found under a pile of waste, including daily household waste and even mattresses and blankets.

"Nearby residents dump waste into the canal night and day. Many others stop by to urinate in the canal in broad daylight," Nguyen Minh Hung, a resident of Le Van Sy Street in District 3, said.

Residents in other sections along the canal also said they witnessed similar acts. Tran Hong Nga, a resident living near the Sai Gon Zoo, said: "They dump even dead pets in the water. The city has just saved the canal but many residents do not protect it."

Truong Sa and Hoang Sa, the two streets that run alongside the canal, are filled with stalls selling food and drinks.

Nguyen Ngoc Cong, deputy director of the city Anti-flooding Programme Management Unit, said the city should carry out a communication campaign for protection of the canal and slap tough penalties on people dumping waste.

Cong told Sai Gon Giai Phong (Liberated Sai Gon) newspaper that large mobile rubbish bins should be place in every section of the canal to collect waste.

The department has recommended penalties for dumping waste and discharging wastewater in the canal. — VNS

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