Environment and natural resources
Govt orders further action to regulate timber industry, combat illegal logging
The government has entrusted a taskforce committee to take further action to strictly regulate wood processing businesses and clamp down on illegal logging after learning that issues continue to exist. The assignment was made after the cabinet was briefed at the government monthly meeting for ...
Gov’t gets heat for ivory decision
Cambodia, home to a number of large ivory busts in recent years, has rejected calls to destroy its stockpiles – the preferred method internationally for dealing with the seized contraband – with government officials saying they plan to exhibit it instead. Prime Minister Hun Sen ...
Unusually strong tides erode coastal land
Hundred metres of land along rivers and coastlines have been destroyed by unusually strong winds and waves, combined with rising tides in the southernmost province of Cà Mau. According to the provincial Agriculture and Rural Development Department, waves and rising tides have caused severe land ...
How ‘evolving’ technology creates e-waste
Let me ask you a question. Are you periodically forced to buy a new laptop because the technology – hardware or software – in your current laptop is no longer supported even though it’s fully functional? The Microsoft Windows operating system is estimated to power about ...
Water experts: Myanmar needs to prepare for climate change
With the threat of climate change and population growth, Myanmar – a nation rich in water resources – has to put in place proper measures to ensure water security for the future, experts said. National University of Singapore’s Assistant Professor Dr Winston Chow, who has ...
Some business fields to face big challenges in 2017
The severe weather conditions in the first months of 2016 with drought and saline intrusion dealt a strong blow on Vietnam’s agriculture, leading to minus growth rate of the sector in the first half of the year. Agricultural production, which has just recovered from the damage ...
Fish kill in Huayxai attributed to hazardous chemicals
Lao authorities confirmed that fish found floating dead in the Nam Ngao river in Huayxai district, Bokeo province died as a result of poisonous chemicals contaminating the river. Officials confirmed the findings after samples of the dead fish were brought for analysis last week. The ...
Sihanoukville dredging eyed
Ministry of Environment officials on February 22 said an inspection team will be deployed to investigate the recently halted sand-dredging operation for the development of the Sihanoukville Autonomous Port’s new multipurpose terminal, which has affected local families. Danh Serey, director of the ministry’s environmental impact assessment ...
Breweries shut down for flouting guidelines
Two breweries in the Mandalay industrial zone were temporarily shut down after they were found to have exceeded the specified wastewater disposal rate, said U Thant Zin Tun, assistant director of the Mandalay regional environmental conservation department. There are four breweries in the industrial zone, ...
Laos still faces chemical management issues
Laos is currently facing a variety of chemical management issues due to a shortage of a full set of regulations, adequate knowledge, the proper equipment and a satisfactory budget. At the 11th Regional Chemicals Management Forum held on February 21 in Vientiane, Deputy Director General of ...