Residents along the Dong Nai River in Vietnam have been silently enduring the environmental repercussions of pesticide dumping since 1994 and 1995. Fearful of potential retaliation, they have refrained from speaking out against this destructive practice.

Not confined to the cover of darkness, the dumping of pesticides persists both day and night, depleting aquatic resources along the river. The consequences extend beyond the contamination of shrimp; even tiny shrimps now lie lifeless in the mud, tainted by the chemicals.

The impact, however, transcends the realm of aquatic life. The dumping of pesticides into the Dong Nai River poses a grave threat to the domestic water supply, directly affecting tens of millions of residents in the region. This environmental degradation has created a worrisome scenario where not only aquatic resources are at risk, but the fundamental necessity of clean water is also compromised.

The alarming situation first came to light a decade ago when Ho Chi Minh City’s Phap Luat newspaper reported on the dumping of pesticides near the water intake of the Thien Tan Water Plant. Despite calls for help and repeated media coverage, the illicit use of pesticides for shrimp and fish harvesting along the Dong Nai River continues unabated.

Major Mai Cong Nhu, representing the traffic police, acknowledged having received information about the situation but expressed a lack of progress in handling the cases. In response, Mr. Nhu assured that the Traffic Police Department would intensify patrols and take decisive actions against violations in the future.

The People’s Committee of Thuong Tan commune, Bac Tan Uyen district, has also confirmed the authenticity of the reports. In an effort to curb the environmental degradation, the Commune People’s Committee issued a written notice explicitly prohibiting the hunting of birds and wild animals, as well as the exploitation of aquatic products using electric pulses and chemicals.

To enforce these prohibitions, the Chairman of Thuong Tan Commune People’s Committee has deployed the police force to enhance patrols, detect potential violations, and ensure strict consequences for those responsible. As communities unite against the destructive practice of pesticide dumping, there is hope for the restoration and preservation of the Dong Nai River ecosystem.