Ky Son voters reflect that hydropower plants create 'dead rivers'

On the morning of June 18, National Assembly Deputies Le Quang Huy - Vice Chairman of the National Assembly's Committee on Science, Technology and Environment; Nguyen Huu Cau - Director of Nghe An Provincial Police had a meeting with voters after the 7th session in Na Ngoi commune (Ky Son district).

Conference scene. Photo: Tien Hung

Opening the conference, delegate Le Quang Huy briefly reported the results of the 7th session.

At the conference, voters of Na Ngoi commune suggested paying attention to adding more land for production. Voters said that currently, there are many protective forests, while there is little land for production. “The population is increasing, living mainly on the forests and mountains, but now most of it is protective forests and touching them is a violation. Therefore, there is no livelihood, no farming,” said voter Vi Van Din.

The voter meeting took place in Na Ngoi commune. Photo: Tien Hung

In addition, voters suggested paying attention to connecting electricity to 5 villages in the commune, paying attention to creating jobs for ethnic minority children, opening a rural market in Na Ngoi, researching and considering allowing Mong people to celebrate December 30 as the traditional New Year of the nation....

In particular, voters said that there are currently 2 hydroelectric plants in the commune. Since the hydroelectric plants were built, the locality has also seen dead and dried up rivers. Therefore, people do not have water for agricultural production... After voters' feedback, representatives of departments, branches and localities directly responded at the meeting hall.

Delegate Nguyen Huu Cau speaks at the voter meeting. Photo: Tien Hung

Speaking at the conference, delegate Nguyen Huu Cau said, aboutRegarding the issue of lack of land for ethnic minorities, many localities have reported this issue, and delegates have forwarded this issue to the National Assembly and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. "I myself questioned the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development about this issue to allocate forest land for people to produce. After that, Ky Son was allowed to allocate 30 hectares of forest land for people to produce, but it is currently stuck in the law so we have to wait a while longer," said Colonel Cau.

Nam Mo Hydropower Plant, located about 3km from Muong Xen town, Ky Son district. Photo courtesy of Nhat Lan.

Regarding the issue of hydropower, delegate Nguyen Huu Cau said that he has long seen the negative aspects of hydropower. Regarding the reflection of voter Na Ngoi, Colonel Cau suggested that Ky Son district should check the construction work as well as the situation of the dried-up rivers affecting people's cultivation or not to have solutions to overcome the problem.