“Scars” on the beach

Many famous beaches in Mui Ne (Lam Dong province) and Nha Trang (Khanh Hoa province) are facing a series of serious challenges, from coastal erosion, unsynchronized temporary embankments, encroachment on public spaces, to environmental pollution. These problems not only affect the landscape and ecological environment but also directly threaten the key economic sector of marine tourism.

Being "suffocated"

The increasingly serious coastal erosion in Mui Ne Ward (Lam Dong Province) has put many tourism businesses in a passive position: losing their beaches and causing great property damage. In response, many businesses have proactively built temporary embankments, including giant sand bags dropped from the shore straight out to sea, or stretched across the shore to block waves and retain the sand strip.

Temporary seawalls on Mui Ne beach ( Lam Dong province) cause beaches to be deformed. Photo: TIEN THANG

A resort owner in Mui Ne Ward shared: “We cannot stand by and watch the sea wash away the beach and our property. Currently, building a temporary embankment is the only way to preserve the land and landscape for tourists.” However, these sandbags are being compared by many people to “scars” on the sea surface. “Mui Ne beach seems to be patched up clumsily, becoming distorted and deformed. Tourists going swimming in the sea feel worried,” said Mr. Tran Viet Tien (tourist from Ho Chi Minh City).

Local authorities also acknowledged that allowing tourism businesses to build temporary embankments was a temporary solution to limit damage to businesses and protect the coast from erosion. However, due to the lack of a master plan for implementation, each business did it its own way, so the situation of “everyone doing it their own way” was common. As a result, these unsynchronized embankments negatively affected the coastal flow, increasing the risk of landslides in neighboring areas.

In addition to landslides and encroachment, marine debris is also becoming an alarming problem in the Mui Ne area. Mr. Tran Van Binh, Permanent Vice President of the Lam Dong Tourism Association, informed: “I am very happy that the situation of local people dumping garbage into the environment has improved. However, the situation of marine debris from fishing activities at sea drifting ashore is increasing, especially after each monsoon, but so far there has been no radical solution to overcome it.”

In Nha Trang Bay ( Khanh Hoa Province), in recent times, a number of issues have arisen that have negatively affected the image of local tourism, such as encroachment on beaches, some units placing kiosks, chairs and umbrellas for business, and organizing meals, causing the sea space to be narrowed; the phenomenon of untreated wastewater flowing directly into the sea makes tourists not dare to swim and have fun. Mr. Le Van Duc (residing in Tay Nha Trang Ward) expressed his disappointment when witnessing some beaches along the Tran Phu - Pham Van Dong coastal route being encroached to place tables, chairs, umbrellas, even street vendors, or sales carts appearing, leaving no space for people or tourists to sit, relax, and swim comfortably.

Soon to have a synchronized solution

Faced with the current situation in Mui Ne coastal area (Lam Dong province), many opinions from people, businesses and experts all agree that a more comprehensive and long-term solution is needed. “Regarding landslide treatment, the State needs to soon implement a project to build a synchronous soft embankment along the Mui Ne coastline, with scientific advice and coordination with tourism businesses. In particular, for the coastal sections in front of hotels and resorts, businesses will contribute funds, while for the coastal sections in residential areas, the State needs to invest funds,” said Mr. Tran Van Binh.

Regarding this issue, Mr. Le Thanh Son, Chairman of Mui Ne Ward People's Committee, said that he had asked relevant units to report to Lam Dong Provincial People's Committee. Mui Ne Ward People's Committee proposed that the Provincial People's Committee quickly deploy the construction of a soft embankment system along Mui Ne beach, creating continuity and preventing coastal erosion. "Regarding the problem of ocean waste, Mui Ne Ward People's Committee regularly coordinates with units and businesses to clean up. But to end this situation, propaganda work to fishermen at sea not to dump garbage and damaged fishing gear into the sea is given top priority," said the Chairman of Mui Ne Ward People's Committee.

According to the Nha Trang Public Service Management Board, many businesses have been fined for encroaching on the beach. Regarding the situation of discharging waste directly into Nha Trang Bay, the Department of Agriculture and Environment of Khanh Hoa province has proposed that the Provincial People's Committee direct the handling of this phenomenon. Mr. Tran Xuan Tay, Chairman of Nha Trang Ward People's Committee, affirmed that the local government always creates favorable conditions for people and businesses to do business in the area. However, it is determined not to ignore or tolerate unhealthy business, violations of the law, causing negative impacts on the image of Nha Trang tourism. "We will strictly handle violations, including cases of complicity. We hope that people and tourists will promptly and specifically report to the government to handle this problem once and for all," Mr. Tran Xuan Tay emphasized.

TIEN THANG - HIEU GIANG

Source: https://www.sggp.org.vn/nhung-vet-seo-tren-bai-bien-post806036.html