A drainage canal in sub-zone 39 is polluted by livestock waste and garbage. — VNA/VNS Photo

SƠN LA — The discharge of waste from animal husbandry and farm produce processing are the main causes of rural environmental pollution, which has become more severe recently in a new-style rural commune in Sơn La Province.

Sub-zone 39, Cò Nòi Commune, over the years, has become one of the residential areas with prolonged pollution.

Living next to a drainage canal for many years, Hoàng Văn Tứ's family often suffers from severe air pollution.

This drainage canal has a width of nearly 3m and a length of more than 200m running through the living area of his family and dozens of other households.

Pointing to the black drainage canal, which is full of garbage and stinks, Tú said untreated waste from pig farming households and littering cause pollution.

Sub-zone 39 is known as a small industrial park with many different activities. There are 12 molasses processing establishments, nearly 10 corn drying kilns, as well as more than 30 pig raising households. Spontaneous development and poor management by local authorities has turned these activities into a serious source of water and air pollution.

Dương Văn Hệ, head of sub-zone 39, said that the pollution has lasted for many years. He has reported about environment pollution many times, but the authorities have not had strict sanctions.

Local residents cannot use water for irrigation because groundwater is also affected.

Head of Nhạp Village Lò Văn Thu said more than 10 wells that people used for irrigation have been also polluted.

A preschool located next to the molasses processing establishment in Nhạp Village is also affected by noise and dust from this facility.

Teacher Lê Thị Thắm said the school currently has two classes with 38 children.

The noise from this establishment is very loud, affecting teaching, she said.

Its continuous operation also affects the children's sleep and teachers often have to close the door because of dust and smoke.

Lê Duy Thanh, head of Department of Natural Resources and Environment of Mai Sơn District, suggested the local People's Committee implement measures to address such problems. However, it has not been solved completely due to many reasons such as obstacles in environmental protection law.

The locality does not have enough device to measure wastewater discharge as well as emissions, making the protection of the rural environment even more difficult, he said.

Local authorities were required to closely monitor establishments to promptly detect and handle violation cases.

The district will also find solutions to deal with establishments that do not meet farming conditions in accordance with the 2018 Law on Livestock, Thanh said. — VNS