VietNamNet Bridge – With more than 2,500ha of woodlands illegally destroyed in the last six months, Ea Sup District has suffered the most deforestation of all 15 districts in the Central Highlands province of Dak Lak.

llustrative image. (Photo: VNN)

Nguyen Dinh Toan, deputy chairman of the district People's Committee, told Viet Nam News on Friday, Jan 11, that deforestation had occurred throughout the district's 9 communes and towns.

Ea Bung Commune saw the most damage - 1,100ha - while Ia R Ve Commune had only about 11ha of ruined forests.

Two dozen enterprises had attempted to implement afforesting and rubber tree planting projects in the district, but it proved difficult to keep people away from the land.

"The forest was seriously destroyed as the enterprises did not have enough guards," said Toan.

The Thai Binh Phat Real Estate Corporation's project to improve and develop the forest was hindered by residents, who cut down more than 300ha. Meanwhile, the Phu Rieng Kratie Rubber Corporation's rubber tree planting project lost more than 350ha of forest after residents encroached on it for personal gain.

"Hundreds of ethnic minority households from northern provinces emigrating to the district encroached on the forest to set up manufacturing and residential zones," said Toan.

Last year the district discovered more than 300 cases of deforestation and imposed administrative fines totaling nearly VND5 billion (US$238,000). However, this did not deter violators.

Deputy chairman of the provincial People's Committee Dinh Van Khiet said that the committee had asked forest managers and police to work with the Ea Sup authorities to crack down on the issue.

"The district must eliminate illegal carpentry shops immediately and set up a list of the worst forest destroyers in order to monitor their activities," he said.

In the short term, local authorities will tear down 30 temporary houses built illegally on forestland and re-plant the forest.

In addition, projects using the forestland for the wrong purpose will be suspended and harsh judicial penalties will be imposed on violators.

"The provincial tribunal will put people who cut down woodlands illegally on public trial as a warning to other deforesters," said Khiet.

Source: VNS