Unique underground cave irrigation system in Quy Hop is silted up, people are facing difficulties

(Baonghean.vn) - For many years now, households in Na Hieng village, Cong village, Chau Hong commune have had the mentality of abandoning their fields, not wanting to produce or cultivate because the flow of natural underground caves has been seriously silted up.

The flow of the karst cave in Chau Hong commune (Quy Hop) is always in a state of sedimentation by soil, rocks, and waste from mineral exploitation enterprises. Photo: Phan Giang

The caves in Chau Hong are low-lying areas, supplying water and also draining water for agricultural production. Without these caves, water would not drain away. Whenever it rains, Na Hieng and Cong villages with nearly 200 households would be flooded, affecting more than 50 hectares of rice fields.

This is a unique natural irrigation system that has been used by people for flood control and drainage for generations. However, for many years now, this "natural irrigation" system has been silted up, causing great impacts on people's production and daily life.

Many blocks of soil, rock, and sludge from upstream mining enterprises block the flow of karst caves in Chau Hong commune. Photo: Phan Giang

Faced with this situation, every year Quy Hop district has allocated billions of dong from the budget, mobilized machinery and directed local people to clear the flow of karst caves to ensure drainage from Chau Hong commune to Chau Tien and Lien Hop communes, with a total dredging volume of about tens of thousands of cubic meters.³soil, rock, mud

However, all efforts of the authorities at all levels are only temporary. After only one rainy season, the amount of soil, rock, and mud deposited from the mining sites of the enterprises caused the flow blockage in the karst cave to continue, continuing to affect the lives of more than 200 households in Chau Hong commune, therefore requiring a more long-term and sustainable solution.

Quy Hop district leaders inspect a production enterprise right next to the flow of the karst cave. Photo: Phan Giang

On the morning of September 5, after checking the situation, Mr. Ho Le Ngoc - Secretary of Quy Hop District Party Committee said that he will do everything possible to find a long-term and sustainable solution. On that basis, we will make the most of the flow of the karst caves and ensure the long-term life of the people.

Phan Giang