Kien Giang (VNA) – The Mekong Delta province of KienGiang has made a proposal for 300 billion VND (13.82 million USD) worth ofGovernment aid in order to fix up its 14.5km span of severely eroded beaches.
According to provincial Vice Chairman of People’s CommitteeMai Anh Nhin, the three dangerous sections of coastal erosion are 5km in MuiRanh, An Bien district; 7km in Xeo Nhau, An Minh district; and 2.5km in Son Haiisland, Kien Luong district. They are in urgent of need of 100 billion VND(4.36 million USD), 140 billion VND (6.11 million USD), and 60 billion VND(2.61 million USD), respectively, for the construction of embankments.
The local Department of Agriculture and Rural Developmentsaid the province has a 200-km sea dyke route running from Mui Nai in Ha Tientown to Tieu Dua canal in An Minh district.
Kien Giang currently has 72km of eroded coastal areas, witha number of its locations losing 20m of protected forests per year due toerosion.
Director of the Agriculture Department Nguyen Van Tam saidthe level of saltwater intrusion is on the rise, causing more severe erosion,which has negatively affected inland infrastructure and local production.
The situation requires prompt action, particularlyinvestment in protecting the sea dyke, planting mangrove forests, and creatinglivelihoods for coastal residents.
However, the province’s tight budget hashindered its efforts to carry out these necessary measures, said Tam. -VNA