"Sand bandits" brazenly drain the Lam River at Anh Son
(Baonghean.vn) - Recently, on the Lam River section passing through Anh Son district (Nghe An), there are many illegal sand docks and many sand suction ships operating openly.
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| Illegal ships brazenly dredge sand in hamlet 5, Cam Son commune (Anh Son). Photo: Ho Phuong |
Recently, the authorities of Anh Son district in particular and Nghe An province in general have resolutely taken action to deal with "sand bandits", however, the above situation still recurs in some locations in Anh Son district.
According to records in hamlets 5, hamlets 1-5, Cam Son commune, Anh Son district, illegal sand mining is still openly taking place.
On April 18, at the sand and gravel wharf on the right bank, adjacent to Highway 7A, owned by a local named Dinh, two ships were pumping sand and gravel onto two small trucks for sale. Not far away, four other trucks were still waiting for their turn to “receive” sand to transport away.
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| The number of vehicles illegally purchasing sand is still bustling at the sand wharf in Hamlet 5, Cam Son Commune. Photo: Ho Phuong |
Mr. Dau Xuan Phu - Chairman of Cam Son Commune People's Committee said that there are no licensed sand mines or wharves in the commune. Currently, Cam Son commune has 2 sand wharves, 4 ships of 2 unlicensed owners regularly exploiting. This situation has been going on for a long time, the district and commune have intervened many times, imposed fines but have not been able to completely handle it.
"In addition to the local ships, sometimes there are also some ships from Phuc Son commune that come here to illegally dredge sand, making it difficult to handle," Mr. Phu added.
On the afternoon of April 18, at the riverbank in Hamlet 8, Khai Son Commune, illegal sand mining was taking place in full swing. Under the river, two large ships were dropping their hoses and operating at full capacity, sucking sand and gravel from the riverbed and transferring them onto the ship.
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| Two illegal ships were dredging sand in Khai Son commune, Anh Son district on the afternoon of April 18. Photo: Ho Phuong |
A local resident said that this sand dredging activity happens regularly and quite loudly. On some days, there are 3 to 5 boats dredging sand here.
Mr. Dang Duy Do - Head of the Department of Natural Resources and Environment of Anh Son district said: "The district has not yet thoroughly handled the above issue, the main responsibility still belongs to the commune-level government. The department will direct the commune government to handle it."
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| The rampant "sand bandits" on Lam River are causing many consequences. Photo: Ho Phuong |
Previously, on April 8, 2018, during a patrol, the working group of Anh Son District Police coordinated with the Waterway Traffic Police Department (PC68) of Nghe An Provincial Police to discover 7 boats illegally exploiting sand and gravel in Village 4, Tao Son Commune, Anh Son District, seizing 24m3illegal mining. All vehicles and evidence seized and temporarily detained have been handed over to the Waterway Traffic Police Department, Provincial Police.
Mr. Hoang Xuan Cuong - Vice Chairman of Anh Son District People's Committee said that for a long time, "sand bandits" have become a burning issue not only in Anh Son District but also in many localities where Lam River runs through. In 2017 alone, the district caught and handled more than 60 cases. Recently, the district also coordinated to catch and handle 7 ships illegally mining sand and gravel.
"We have now developed a detailed plan to deal with this issue more specifically and drastically," Mr. Cuong added.