Side hustle: A farmer pushing a boat for fishing on a padi field in Vietnam’s Hau Giang province. The country is among the top rice exporters in the world. — AFP
THE authorities from the forestry and environment sectors have discussed ways to tackle severe air pollution, which typically occurs at the start of the year when farmers burn fields and scrubland prior to planting new crops.
According to a report issued by the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, authorities from Phongsaly, Xayaboury, Salavan, Bolikhamxay provinces and the Lao capital Vientiane, discussed the problems associated with air pollution and the effects on people’s health at a meeting held last Thursday.
The meeting provided an overview of the problems and effects of smog, and air pollution research results, and discussed the national action plan and other operations to prevent, prepare for and cope with air pollution.
The meeting was hosted by the Natural Resources and Environment Research Institute and the Lao Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment.
Farmers burn agricultural land for several days in a row, which combines with the dry weather, causes smoke to linger in the air for weeks on end, with particles of ash clearly visible.
Officials agreed to find ways to prevent and deal with wildfires, including building public awareness about the short-term and long-term harmful effects of air pollution.
It was agreed that decentralised management would enable better regulation of scrub burning and forest fires. Officials were advised to ensure they had the necessary equipment available to extinguish fires as soon as they were detected and prevent them from getting out of control. — Xinhua
