HƯNG YÊN (VNS) — The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) has launched a national programme promoting the involvement of all levels of authorities and society in the protection of dykes across  the country.

MARD Deputy Minister Hoàng Văn Thắng, who is also chief of a steering board for the movement, said yesterday the campaign would be implemented in five years between 2016 and 2020 in all provinces and cities, particularly those having dykes.

Every year, the ministry would analyse the results of the implementation including plans to set up models for dyke management counties and honour those localities which have grossed outstanding results in building and protecting standard dykes, the deputy minister said.

At a ceremony to mark the launch on Tuesday in the northern province of Hưng Yên, Thắng spoke highly on the importance of the preservation and management of dykes following government regulations on dyke protection saying that inspection and punishment should be more regular and strict against violations.

He urged local authorities and people to pay attention to the extremely complicated climate changes currently and improve their awareness on the importance of protecting dykes.

Prime Minister Nguyễn Tấn Dũng recently approved a planning scheme for flood prevention and dyke systems along the Hồng (Red) and Thái Bình rivers.

The scheme aims to help the localities take the initiative in preventing floods and storms, contributing to their socio-economic stability as well as national security and defence.

It will help relevant ministries, agencies and localities manage efforts against floods and storms, and outline investment plans for related projects until 2030 with a vision towards 2050.

Apart from forecasting the flood tide in these areas, the scheme also proposes anti-flood solutions, and how to effectively use river shores in line with the Dyke Law and relevant legal documents in service of national socio-economic development.

It defines prioritised items and estimates resources necessary for the realisation of the solutions.

From 2016 to 2030, efforts will be focussed on planting administrative border markers at the dyke corridors, completing operational procedures of large reservoirs located at the upper parts of the rivers, upgrading dykes, and start afforestation plans, in addition to bringing infrastructure and equipment to support the work. — VNS