Law

Fish are dying in large numbers again in the Sao stream (Nghia Dan).

Tien Dong • July 10, 2024 17:57

A few days ago, a mass fish kill occurred in the Sao stream section passing through Nghia Yen commune, Nghia Dan district... The water source is polluted, and the environment is being damaged, causing public outrage and accusations that a large-scale pig farm belonging to Tam Viet Livestock Joint Stock Company, located in Bai Tranh commune, Nhu Xuan district (Thanh Hoa province), is the source of the wastewater discharged into the stream...

Following reports from residents of Lam Sinh village, Nghia Yen commune, Nghia Dan district (Nghe An province) about the severe pollution of Sao stream (also known as Ang stream or Lam Sinh stream), which flows from the mountain range bordering Bai Tranh commune, Nhu Xuan district (Thanh Hoa province) downstream, emitting a foul odor and causing mass fish deaths, a reporter from Nghe An Newspaper visited the scene to document the situation. (Photo: Nguyen Dao)

After confirming that the Sao stream was polluted, we decided to head north, to the hilly border region between Nghe An and Thanh Hoa provinces, considered the source of the pollution and the resulting fish deaths. It took us about 15km from the Nghia Yen commune People's Committee headquarters, crossing many hills covered with acacia trees and dense bushes, to reach the border area between Bai Tranh commune (Nhu Xuan district, Thanh Hoa province) and Lam Sinh village, Nghia Yen commune (Nghia Dan district). Photo: Tien Dong - Nguyen Dao

This wastewater reservoir is located directly above the Sao stream, separated by an earthen embankment. It's essentially a giant sewage reservoir situated right at the headwaters, posing a significant threat and polluting the water source. (Photo: Nguyen Dao)

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Having lived in this area for over 20 years, we have never seen the Sao stream so severely polluted as it is now. Three years ago, when the Tam Viet Livestock Joint Stock Company's pig farm was built in Bai Tranh commune, right at the headwaters of the stream, fish deaths occurred. We have repeatedly petitioned for action, but the issue has not been resolved. Now, no one dares to use the stream water for daily life or irrigation anymore...