Illegal constructions found near West Lake

As Hanoi authorities are trying to relocate floating restaurants from West Lake to protect the environment, the lake and nearby ponds are still being illegally occupied.

As Hanoi authorities are trying to relocate floating restaurants from West Lake to protect the environment, the lake and nearby ponds are still being illegally occupied.

Illegal construction on Tri Pond

On February 2, local authorities gave written notification to businesses to remove all boats and floating commercial premises. The move is part of efforts to deal with pollution in West Lake as about 200 tonnes of fish were found dead from October 1 to 3 last year.

However, many people in Quang An Ward reported that some people illegally built houses and filled up the nearby ponds with rubbish. Le Hoai Nam, chairman of Quang An Ward said he had only taken over the position for a few months so he hadn't fully understood the situation but had received the reports.

After verifying the information, it is proved that a house was built on Tri Pond three years ago. In addition, the construction workers and local people threw rubbish into the lake while repairing their houses over the years. Nam confirmed that any construction built on the lake will be forced to move, while illegal constructions on land will be considered later. They will also punish involved individuals and groups.

On January 5, 2015, Quang An Ward People's Committee allocated Tri Pond to Vu Hoa Thao, head of the local agriculture co-operative for aquaculture development. But Thao let his acquaintances built a 200-square-metre house on the pond.

According to the locals, many other locations on the lake have been filled up with rubbish or restaurants such as the Dao Sen Restaurant with its own concrete bridge. A local in Quang An Ward said the authorities once forced the Dao Sen Restaurant to move and destroyed half of its concrete pillars. But the restaurant resumed operation after a short while.