Pine forest dying of chemical contamination
Lam Dong’s red pine trees in danger of disappearing

3.5 tonnes of pine tree bark was seized. – Photo tuoitre.vn

38-year-old Pham Minh Ngoc was caught on Wednesday while transporting the tree bark to a house at 36 Ung Van Khiem Street, Pleiku City, Tuổi trẻ (Youth) newspaper reported.

Ngoc admitted she had bought the bark in Dak Doa District to ship to northern provinces.

It was resold to Chinese traders at VND8,000 (34 US cents) per kilogramme.

The case is being investigated further.

According to the department, the trade of pine tree bark has emerged recently. It is said to be sold to China or used to plant orchids.

At the end of April, Ia Grai District People’s Committee reported to provincial authorities about the destruction of a protected in Ia Dêr Commune.

Some 600 pine trees planted in 1978 had their bark removed, and 80 of them had died.

Phan Trung Tuong, deputy head of Ia Grai District, said the bark might be used for orchid plantations.

VNS