Saving the Highlands from droughtIntensifying the protection of forests in the Central Highlands from encroachment by hydro power plants, illegal deforestation and unplanned agricultural development would be the key to preserving water in this drought hit region, experts have said. Those experts took part in a workshop held yesterday in Gia Lai by the Steering Committee for the Central Highlands, Vietnam Rivers Network (VRN) and PanNature. Le Anh Tuan, an advisor to Vietnam Rivers Network, said the main supply of natural water in the Central Highlands is rainwater due to its high topography. “Water is abundant in the rainy season but a shortage of water occurs during the dry season. According to Duong Ngoc Duc of the central government’s Steering Committee for the Central Highlands, 35 per cent of rivers and 40 per cent of streams in the region have dried up.

Source: VietNamNet News July 23, 2016 05:26 UTC