Nguyen Thanh Nguyen, vice chairman of Long An Province, said at the forum held in Long An that the province had to pay dearly for the ten-fold rice yield increase to three million tons now compared to the late 1970s.

The ecosystem of Dong Thap Muoi area has been spoiled as much of the area has been turned into rice fields. Besides, the brackish water ecosystem in coastal areas has almost been wiped out recently due to shrimp farming, he added.

In addition, illegal and destructive fishing activities are threatening natural aquatic resources in the Mekong Delta region. Saltwater intrusion, flood prevention and hydropower works have also impeded the development of aquatic animals.

Speaking at the forum, Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Bui Cach Tuyen said that to beat problems in the process of implementing the planning in the Mekong Delta, there should be synchronous and appropriate solutions. Environmental issues need to be carefully taken into account when doing the planning. Tuyen noted climate change had badly impacted on natural ecosystems and affected traditional livelihoods of locals.