JICA Helps Improve Environment Protection at World Natural Heritage

The Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), through a project launched since June 2009, has helped improve environmental protection in Vietnam’s Ha Long Bay, one of the world’s natural heritages. The agency has helped authorities in the northern province of Quang Ninh use modern technologies in wastewater treatment, water drainage, and garbage collection. Earlier this month, the JICA handed over a biofuel-used ship to collect rubbish in the bay. Through the support of the JICA, Japanese companies namely Nippon Koei, Seiwa Denko, and Chodai have joined environmental protection projects in the bay for the past years. Ha Long Bay, which was ranked 65th among 500 places worldwide must be visited by the largest travel guide book publisher in the world Lonely Planet, is one of the best tourist attractions in Vietnam, attracting millions of visitors per year. However, environmental pollution has poisoned the bay and lessened its magnificence. (Daidoanket.vn Nov 16)