A corner of U Minh Thượng National Park in the Mekong Delta province of Kiên Giang. The park has been preserving the significant bio-diversity values of a special wetland. — VNA/VNS Illustration photo

HÀ NỘI — The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment has proposed to raise the fines to VNĐ400 million (US$17,200) for violations on environmental protection, biodiversity preservation and protection of natural ecosystems.

This is part of the amended draft decree on biological conservation violations, which would replace the current Government’s Decree 155/2016/NĐ-CP issued in November, 2016.

The new guidelines mean those who were found to build construction works for illegal residence in the ecological conservation areas would be fined between VNĐ500,000 and VNĐ3 million ($129).

The same violation in the strictly protected sections of conservation areas would get heavier fines of up to VNĐ30-50 million ($1,290-2,150).

Violations on encroaching the protected areas of conservation to build houses or farms for cattle, poultry and aquaculture raising would be fined between VNĐ50-100 million ($2,150-4,300).

The heaviest fines of up to VNĐ400 million ($17,200) would be imposed for acts affecting or causing damages to the natural ecosystem areas such as mining, embanking water tanks, using fire or toxic substances during the natural resource exploitation.

The draft also stipulated severe sanctions for violations on wetland encroachment.

Acts that caused damages to the wetlands would face the fines of between VNĐ250-400 million ($10,750-17,200). In case the acts giving negative impacts on the migratory birds, violations would be given more VNĐ200-300 million ($8,600-12,900), it said.

The amended draft decree aims to tighten control on environmental protection, biodiversity preservation and protection of natural ecosystems and migratory birds.

The ministry is collecting the public’s opinions for the draft decree before submitting it to the Government for approval. — VNS