Littering locals in Nam Xong cause river pollution

Local tourists and restaurants are damaging the environment surrounding the Nam Xong River in Vangvieng district, Vientiane province, after continuosly throwing garbage into the river during their holidays and parties.
Although, since the COVID-19 outbreak, Laos’ borders have limited outside tourisim, leaving local tourists intending to travel to a hot spot like the party town of Vangvieng, which is a short distance of 110 km via expressway from Vientiane.

Vang Vieng is a backpacker-oriented town, with the main street featuring guest houses, bars, restaurants, internet cafes, and tour agencies. Attractions of the town include inner-tubing and kayaking on the Nam Xong River.
Environment Observers are concerned over the amounts of garbage in the Nam Xong have noticed an increase of garbage around the river after they visited early in January.
Observers suspect the result is from local restaurants that are located in the middle of the river which makes it easier for tourists to litter, even though they have installed signs to ban thowing rubbish into the river.
Local tourists park their cars on the riverbank and have parties, lacking of awareness and throwing garbage irresponsibly into river.
These will lead to a negetive affect on fish and other aquatic species’ habitats. The river is dirty due to tourism and public bathing, the environmentalists explained.
Officials from the Vangvieng Office of Natural Resources and Environment warned the town will have a challenge to deal with the increase of the amount of rubbish that’s dumped into the river from tourist parties who don’t properly dispose of their food packaging and bottles.
The amount of garbage in the Nam Xong River has dropped 60 percent after the government closed down backpacker parties along river in 2012.
But the release of waste water into the river remains a problem as authorities are working hard to keep the river clean and clear enough for swimming and bathing.
Officials at the Vangvieng Environment office said authorities have informed restaurant owners to follow the district’s regulations.
If they are caught releasing waste water and garbage into the river they will be fined 500,000 kip.
It is sometimes difficult for authorities to carry out frequent inspections so business owners have more opportunities to break the rules. However, local tourists should excersize more awareness of keeping the river clean, taking responsiblity for their own garbage when travelling to visit other tourist sites and towns.

By Times Reporters
(Latest Update March 17, 2021)