Viet Nam News
4 May 2015
HA NOI (VNS) — Senior Government officials have acknowledged that a skewed vision of development has severely degraded the natural environment and called for urgent remedial measures to stem the rot.
“In the past years, we were too focused on developing the economy, and neglected environmental protection and biodiversity conservation,” said Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Bui Cach Tuyen.
“This improper view led to insufficient measures to manage and conserve biodiversity, and increasing impacts of climate change are directly affecting it (the country’s biodiversity).”
The nation’s flora and fauna were facing the pressure of changing habitat and frequent natural disasters, he said.
More than one-third of 286 key natural landmarks and 46 biodiversity conservation areas in Viet Nam will be under serious threat if the sea-level rises by one metre, underscoring the importance of tackling climate change impacts.