Hanoi, Oct. 24 -- The overall principles of the revisions to the Law on Environmental Protection are to cut procedures without cutting responsibilities, ease pre-inspection while tightening post-inspection, decentralise authority without fragmenting responsibility and never trade the environment for mere economic growth, National Assembly (NA) President Tran Thanh Man told group discussions during the 16th NA's second session in Hanoi on October 24.

On a proposal to drop concentrated residential areas and water sources used for daily life from the list of environmentally sensitive factors, he said issues directly tied to public health can't simply be streamlined. Environmental legislation is meant to improve quality of life, noting persi...