HCM City (VNA) - Authorities in Phu Quoc Island arestrengthening oversight and protection of natural resources like sand and stoneand cracking down on violators.

“We have completed and publicly announced a master plan for natural resourceexploitation and instructed local authorities to be careful about grantinglicences,” said Le Quang Minh, head of the Phu Quoc Island District NaturalResources and Environment Sub-department.

“Local authorities must carefully calculate the demand for constructionmaterials factoring in environmental protection and the socio-economicefficiency of each project as well as monitor and prevent illegal transfer oflicences.”

The district has also tried to educate the public about natural resource lawsto increase awareness of the need to protect natural resources and theenvironment.

Authorities are closely monitoring exploitation and severely penalising illegalactivities. Towns and communes have established task forces and patrolstations.

According to the sub-department, most natural resources exploitation licenceshave expired.

Last year authorities had imposed fines of 1 billion VND (over 43,000) for 215cases of violations.

But authorities plan to further increase patrols by officials because demandfor soil, sand, and stone for construction remains enormous while most licenceshave expired and illegal exploitation is rife, especially under cover ofdarkness.

“A shortage of personnel for patrolling, low professional knowledge and theviolent response from illegal exploiters are challenges in natural resourcemanagement,” Minh added.-VNA